Lot Essay
Toshiyoshi may be also correctly read Toshinaga as a signature exists which uses the character Naga (cho). Not only was his work stylish but he also played with characters when carving his signature. He learned carving from the Tanaka Toryusai school and portrayed the strong feeling of the Edo shitamachi [area of commerce]. His subjects are quite unusual with innovative methods such as chuya [mi-parti], shibori dashi for fuchi-kashira and okigane moyo for menuki. The carving is soft unlike the Yokoya or Joi metalworkers. This delicate work contributed to the Tanaka school's special style.