KANO TOMOKAZU: A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A RECUMBENT OX

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KANO TOMOKAZU: A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A RECUMBENT OX By Kano Tomokazu (c. 1765-1840), signed Tomokazu 友一 Japan, Gifu, first half of the 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved and beautifully stained to depict a recumbent ox lying with its head slightly raised and turned to the left, its legs drawn in for compactness, the eyes carefully double inlaid in pale translucent horn with dark pupils giving life to the expression. The bulky animal has a pronounced spine, a finely incised fur coat, and a rope halter which passes through the nose, over the horns and all the way around to its haunches. Natural himotoshi and signed to the underside within an oval reserve TOMOKAZU. LENGTH 4.8 cm Kano Tomokazu (c. 1765-1840), one of the earliest artists from Gifu, worked primarily in wood (mostly tsuge), which he treated with various stains. At 17, he began working for the Shibata family, where he developed a passion for carving. Despite his master's initial disapproval, he secretly practiced at night and improved his craft. Once his master recognized his talent, he received full support. Tomokazu later moved to Kyoto, gaining recognition for his intricate netsuke carvings. Eventually, he returned to Gifu, where he built a secluded hermitage near Kinkazan Mountain, living a life of celibacy. Dedicated to his art, he once spent three days studying deer in the wild to perfect his carvings. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a recumbent ox, by Kano Tomokazu, illustrated in Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures (LNIA), Vol. 2, p. 1155. Compare a closely related wood netsuke of an ox with inlaid eyes, by Tomokazu, illustrated in Katchen, Arlette (2010) Netsuke 7, Vol. 2, p. 116-117, no. K253. Compare a closely related wood netsuke of an ox with inlaid eyes, by Masakazu, illustrated in Katchen, Arlette (2010) Netsuke 7, Vol. 2, p. 116-117, no. K254. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a recumbent ox, by Kano Tomokazu, Gifu, 19th century, 4.8 cm wide, at Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art, 8 November 2011, London, lot 117 (sold for GBP 15,000).

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