AN UNUSUAL TALL WOOD NETSUKE OF MYTHICAL CREATUREUnsignedJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A somewhat grotesque wood netsuke of a long-limbed kappa-like monkey, its entire body covered in fur, using one of its long arms to cover its crotch, the other reaching over its shoulder. The creature’s enigmatic express is enhanced by the large glaring eyes inlaid with pale horn rings. One large himotoshi through the back, the other opening in-between the legs.HEIGHT 10 cmCondition: Some old damages with associated old repairs.The creature depicted in this netsuke is highly unusual. Though it appears to be closest to a monkey imitating Ashinaga and Tenaga, the recessed area on the cranium indicates a kappa.