A RARE SAISHIKI NETSUKE OF AN IMMORTAL WITH HOSSU Unsigned Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) A rare saishiki (painted) hinoki wood netsuke depicting a standing immortal holding a hossu (Buddhist fly whisk) over his shoulder. His emaciated ribs are shown. His face is expressively carved, and the mouth is opened. The cypress wood is colored in polychrome pigments and gesso, characteristically worn, the white gofun ground visible underneath. Very large, beautifully worn himotoshi through the back. HEIGHT 10.6 cm Condition: Good, appropriately worn condition with abrasions to polychrome pigments. Provenance: Ex-collection Mrs. Gunvor Bjorkman. Auction comparison: A related netsuke, probably carved by the same hand, was sold by Lempertz, Asiatische Kunst, 7 June 2019, Cologne, lot 374.