HOSHUNSAI MASAYUKI: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A YOUNG MONK BEATING A MANCHURIAN By Hoshunsai Masayuki, signed Masayuki and kakihan Japan, Tokyo, second half of 19th century The young monk seated on top of the Chinese man, pushing him down and holding his fist up threateningly. The man is cowering, his hands underneath put together in a begging gesture, and has multiple boils on his head from the repeated beating he has endured. Both expressions are carved very finely, and the Chinese man has a minutely carved braided ponytail (queue), worn by Manchurian men, which extends to the underside. The underside with asymmetrical himotoshi and signature MASAYUKI 正之 and kakihan in a gourd-shaped reserve. HEIGHT 3.5 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Provenance: European collection. Literature comparison: A similar netsuke of a young monk beating a kappa-like monster is illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 494. Auction comparison: For a related netsuke of a boy on a tortoise showing the same gourd-shaped reserve, see Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 15 May 2014, London, lot 49.