HOSHUNSAI MASAYUKI: A FINE STAG ANTLER RYUSA NETSUKE By Hoshunsai Masayuki, unsigned Japan, Asakusa, Tokyo, second half of 19th century Spectacularly carved in openwork, the front depicting a formal design of lotus flowers and winding vines. The reverse shows a floral himotoshi surrounded by flaring arms which appear like the sinous body of a rain dragon. The sides of the netsuke show the heavily porous spongiform material of the antler – what a feat to carve around it in this manner! The firm attribution to Hoshunsai Masayuki is owed to the formal design of the netsuke, which appears to be unique to the carver and can also be seen on lot 188. Furthermore, the choice of pale antler, and ability to carve from what some would call ‘useless material’ further underlines this attribution. LENGTH 3.6 cm Condition: Excellent condition with natural ‘flaws’ to material. Provenance: French private collection. For further comparisons see Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (2016) Kokusai the Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, Part 3, pp. 102-111, nos. 394-400. No. 400 is likely the best comparison – note also the heavily porous spongiform material on the sides.