A rare and refined boxwood netsuke depicting the poet Ono no Komachi seated on a sotoba (wooden grave marker), with a basket and hat. The figure wears simple, worn garments and holds a straw hat (kasa) and a basket. The carving is of notable quality, evident in the rendering of the wood grain, the hunched posture of the elderly woman, and the deeply expressive and easily recognizable facial features. The subject refers to the famous Nō play Sotoba Komachi (卒塔婆小町), in which the poet, now aged and reduced to poverty, is found sitting on a Buddhist grave marker (sotoba). Questioned by two monks, she reveals her identity and demonstrates profound Buddhist wisdom, embodying the theme of the transience of beauty and impermanence. Netsuke, composed of the kanji ne (根), meaning "root," and tsuke (付け), meaning "to attach," are small Japanese sculptures originally used as fasteners to secure objects to the sashes of kimono (obi 帯). From the late 19th century they became highly collectible in Europe and America, admired for the variety of subjects, the fine details, the patina and their strong tactile appeal. ---The netsuke is in very good condition. Please refer to the pictures for further details. The item will be carefully packed and shipped via DHL or FedEx, accompanied by the original certificate of authenticity issued by Mastromauro Japanese art gallery based in Milan, Italy. 369