SHOKO: A MAGNIFICENT WOOD NETSUKE OF A TORTOISE
By Suganayo Shoko, signed Shichiju ni o suga (no) ya Shoko
Japan, Hida, ca. 1870 (carved at the age of 72)

Published: F. Meinertzhagen, MCI, Part B, New York, 1986, p. 746.
Lazarnick, George, Netsuke and Inro Artists, Honolulu 1982, p. 967.

Carved with magnificent detail, the underside crafted from ebony wood and the upper carapace in reddish-brown wood, probably Hida chestnut wood. The carapace is rendered with intricate detail, the natural grain is achieved exactly. The underside shows the tortoise almost completely retracted, its scaly limbs and tail hidden within, and its head ever so slightly peeking out with a naturalistic expression enhanced by beautifully double-inlaid eyes of pale and dark horn. Central himotoshi through the underside and one parcel on the top of the carapace is removable and provides the cord attachment. Signed Shichiju ni o suga (no) ya SHOKO 尚古 (made by Suganoya Shoko at the age of 72).

LENGTH 4.9 cm

Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: Belgian private collection.

Meinertzhagen notes of this piece in his card index: “Extremely fine work, every detail faultless”. He also records that the artist was one of the finest of his school and lists him as a pupil of Sukenaga.