A wood netsuke of Fukurokuju and child


By Ouchi Sosui (1911-1972), Showa era (1926-1989), 20th centuryThe god kneeling, supporting himself with one hand as a small boy climbs on his exaggerated tall head, the wood bearing a typical stain, signed Sosui; with a wooden storage box, outside the lid inscribed Fukujin no ko Mori, Kibori netsuke (Fukujin caring for a child, wood netsuke), inside the lid inscribed Tsuge ichi bokubori, Ouchi yondai Sosui) (Carved by Ouchi Sosui IV from one piece of boxwood), with seal Sosui. 4.5cm (1¾in). (2).
|The work was probably produced in the latter period of Sosui's life, when his carving was somewhat bolder than his earlier, more delicate style.