MORIKAWA TOEN: A RARE TALL WOOD NETSUKE OF A NIO AT THE TODAIJI TEMPLE By Morikawa Toen (1820-1894), signed Todaiji Nandaimon Nio mosu Toen Japan, Nara, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Depicting a Nio, an athletic temple guardian, minimalistically and expressively carved. The backside is inscribed and signed Todaiji Nandaimon Nio mosu TOEN 杜園 - copied by Morikawa Toen from the Nio Sculpture at the Great South Gate of the Todaiji Temple. HEIGHT 17.2 cm Condition: Very good condition, minimal wear. Provenance: French private collection. Morikawa Toen (1820- 1894) was a skilled sculptor and poet. He excelled in the carving style of ittobori (single cut), also exhibited on the present piece. At the Second Naikoku Kangyo Hakurankai of 1881 he exhibited a wood sculpture of Ryutoki and won first prize (myogi Itto sho). Literature comparison: A similar netsuke is depicted in Davey, Neil K. (1974) Netsuke: A comprehensive study based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, p. 274, no.837. Another is illustrated in an advert by Sydney Moss Ltd. in the International Netsuke Society Journal, Vol. 19, no. 3, p. 37.