Description HIDEKAZU: A WOOD NETSUKE OF BENKEI CARRYING THE BELL OF MIIDERABy Hidekazu, signed Hidekazu 秀一Japan, Osaka, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Benkei shown leaning backwards and with his feet lifted off the ground, as he tries to lift the heavy bell using an iron staff (kanabo) supported on his shoulder, with one small himotoshi through the side, the other natural through the bell opening below, the underside with signature HIDEKAZU – a pupil of Hidemasa.HEIGHT 3.1 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear. Provenance: American private collection.Literature comparison: Compare an almost identical Netsuke of Benkei carrying the Bell of Miidera, by Sanko, in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, accession number 98.105.78.