An ivory netsuke

UNSIGNED, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details
An ivory netsuke
Unsigned, late 18th/early 19th Century
Of a drunken samurai, leaning against a large corded sake flask in the shape of a gourd, (age cracks)
4.5cm. wide

Lot Essay

The subject is probably Oishi Kura no suke, karo (chief minister) of Asano Takumi no kami, Daimyo of Ako (Yenya, in the play "Chusingura"), feigning drunken profligacy as he and his co-conspirators secretly plot revenge on Kira Kozuke no suke (Moronao) for the enforced suicide of their master.

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