A wood figure netsuke of an Ainu


By Ouchi Sosui (1911-1972), Showa era (1926-1989), 20th centuryStanding, hands clasped to his chest, wearing a short belted robe bearing the inscription Kosei Hideyuki hokoku (Kosei Hideyuki helped with the carving), the wood bearing a typical stain, signed in a raised oval reserve Sosui; with a wooden storage box, outside the lid inscribed Sosui Ainu, inside the lid inscribed Kosei Hideyuki hokoku (Kosei Hideyuki helped with the carving), and with seal Hideyuki. 7cm (2¾in). (2).
|It is clear that the work was produced towards the end of Sosui's life and he was helped by his friend Kosei Hideyuki (born 1941) who subsequently became an established carver of netsuke.