Netsuke woodbox samurai and hannya - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)
05
days
20
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44
minutes
51
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Current bid
€ 15
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Giovanni Bottero
Holds a master’s in Japanese art history with over 10 years’ expertise in Asian art.
Estimate € 1,500 - € 1,700
 | €15 | |
|---|---|---|
| €10 | |
| €1 |
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An Edo period netsuke from Japan carved in boxwood, depicting a hannya demon seizing a samurai with two himotoshi on the reverse, in good condition, original/official, dimensions 4 × 3 × 3 cm.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
A carved wood (likely boxwood, tsuge) Edo period katabori netsuke depicting a hannya — the horned, jealous-female demon of Noh theater — seizing a samurai from behind, on a rocky ground base with two himotoshi to the reverse.
The netsuke is carved in a warm honey-brown wood, most consistent with boxwood (tsuge), the standard material for fine Edo-period katabori work, with dark ink or stain worked into the incised lines to pick out hair, drapery folds, and facial detail — a typical finishing technique for this school of carving.
The composition stacks two figures in a tight, dynamic pose. The upper figure has long, deeply incised strands of wild hair falling past the shoulders, a snarling, wide-mouthed grin with bared teeth, and heavy-lidded eyes under a furrowed brow — the hannya, the horned female demon of the Noh stage born of jealous rage, caught here mid-attack. One arm reaches down and grips the head of the samurai from behind.
The lower figure is a samurai, shown wearing a period hat, round-faced, caught in the moment of drawing his katana in response to the surprise attack rather than already overcome — his hands brought together at the hilt, the drawing motion read into the gesture rather than a passive pose of submission. His robe is rendered in the deep, angular pleat-folds typical of Edo-period figural netsuke drapery. The pairing stages a recognizable Noh-derived scene: a samurai ambushed by the demon born of a woman's obsessive grief or rage, caught mid-draw as he turns to meet the attack — a theme carried by plays such as Aoi no Ue and Dōjōji, and a popular subject across netsuke, tsuba, and other Edo-period decorative carving.
The base is carved to suggest rocky, uneven ground, giving the group a sense of being caught mid-stride. The reverse shows two circular himotoshi (cord holes) bored through the back of the robe, standard for suspending the netsuke from a sagemono. Carving throughout is deep and confident, with strong undercutting around the interlocked arms and drapery — consistent with a well-executed piece of this genre.
5,6x2x6cm
Seller's Story
At Supein Nihonto, we strive to offer you authentic samurai pieces of the highest quality at prices well below the competition through an addictive passion and constant effort. Our goal is to provide samurai weapons and armor for nearly every budget with an unbeatable quality/price ratio. With frequent trips to Japan, a significant daily effort, and a good reputation among Japan's most important distributors that allows us to visit places where most Europeans are forbidden to go, we can get the best of both worlds: fast delivery, genuine and premium items, and prices that can only be found through a great reputation within the industry and with Japanese suppliers and close friends.
Translated by Google TranslateA carved wood (likely boxwood, tsuge) Edo period katabori netsuke depicting a hannya — the horned, jealous-female demon of Noh theater — seizing a samurai from behind, on a rocky ground base with two himotoshi to the reverse.
The netsuke is carved in a warm honey-brown wood, most consistent with boxwood (tsuge), the standard material for fine Edo-period katabori work, with dark ink or stain worked into the incised lines to pick out hair, drapery folds, and facial detail — a typical finishing technique for this school of carving.
The composition stacks two figures in a tight, dynamic pose. The upper figure has long, deeply incised strands of wild hair falling past the shoulders, a snarling, wide-mouthed grin with bared teeth, and heavy-lidded eyes under a furrowed brow — the hannya, the horned female demon of the Noh stage born of jealous rage, caught here mid-attack. One arm reaches down and grips the head of the samurai from behind.
The lower figure is a samurai, shown wearing a period hat, round-faced, caught in the moment of drawing his katana in response to the surprise attack rather than already overcome — his hands brought together at the hilt, the drawing motion read into the gesture rather than a passive pose of submission. His robe is rendered in the deep, angular pleat-folds typical of Edo-period figural netsuke drapery. The pairing stages a recognizable Noh-derived scene: a samurai ambushed by the demon born of a woman's obsessive grief or rage, caught mid-draw as he turns to meet the attack — a theme carried by plays such as Aoi no Ue and Dōjōji, and a popular subject across netsuke, tsuba, and other Edo-period decorative carving.
The base is carved to suggest rocky, uneven ground, giving the group a sense of being caught mid-stride. The reverse shows two circular himotoshi (cord holes) bored through the back of the robe, standard for suspending the netsuke from a sagemono. Carving throughout is deep and confident, with strong undercutting around the interlocked arms and drapery — consistent with a well-executed piece of this genre.
5,6x2x6cm
Seller's Story
At Supein Nihonto, we strive to offer you authentic samurai pieces of the highest quality at prices well below the competition through an addictive passion and constant effort. Our goal is to provide samurai weapons and armor for nearly every budget with an unbeatable quality/price ratio. With frequent trips to Japan, a significant daily effort, and a good reputation among Japan's most important distributors that allows us to visit places where most Europeans are forbidden to go, we can get the best of both worlds: fast delivery, genuine and premium items, and prices that can only be found through a great reputation within the industry and with Japanese suppliers and close friends.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Dynastic Style/Period
Edo Period (1600-1868)
Country of Origin
Japan
Material
Netsuke woodbox samurai and hannya
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Height
4 cm
Width
3 cm
Depth
3 cm
Authenticity
Original/official
