† TOMOKAZU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF KIYOHIME WITH THE TEMPLE BELL OF DOJO-JIBy Kano Tomokazu, signed Tomokazu 友一Japan, Gifu, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Superbly carved, the serpentine monster winding around the bell of Dojo-ji, her scales meticulously rendered, her facial features well crafted, appearing almost like a Hannya mask, her long flowing hair in the back neatly incised. The vengeful witch holds a T-shaped striker in one hand and a loose strand of her hair in the other. The bell is finely carved as well with a neatly stippled ground and raised bosses, the removable and turnable handle carved with two dragons. Anchin’s face is visible through a small hole in the bell. Good himotoshi to Kiyohime’s back and underneath and signed TOMOKAZU within the typical oval reserve.LENGTH 3.7 cmCondition: A small chip to the edge of the handle and to one horn. Repair to the interior mechanism. Otherwise good condition.Provenance: Christie’s, 4 November 2009, New York, lot 131. A noted private collection, USA, acquired from the above.Auction comparison:The subject. which is usually associated with Minko and the Tsu school. is rare for Tomokazu. For an example of the same subject depicted in a different manner see Sotheby’s, The Swedlow Collection of Inro, Lacquer and Ojime, 31 March 1993, London, lot 69.13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer’s premium – only for buyers within the EU.