A SUPERB TALL SAISHIKI NETSUKE OF RYUJIN Style of Yoshimura Shuzan, unsigned Japan, Osaka, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) A very large saishiki (painted) hinoki wood netsuke depicting the dragon king of the sea Ryujin standing tall, holding a magical jewel in one hand in front of him, and the tail of a dragon in the other. The dragon extends to the other side and sits on Ryujin’s head, ferociously screaming, his long whiskers flowing in the wind. Ryujin’s expression is quite amusing, as if he was crushed by the weight of the dragon’s head. The hinoki (cypress) wood is colored in polychrome pigments and gesso, characteristically worn. Large, used himotoshi through the back. HEIGHT 14 cm Condition: Very good age-related condition including some wear to pigments and small chips to the cypress wood. Provenance: Ex-collection Mrs. Gunvor Bjorkman.