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Posted 12 months ago
cogito
(87 items)
A complex, and symbolic mid-19th century netsuke, with a oni and gaki either wrestling or helping each other up on a eroticized lotus leaf. Dimensions: 1.63”(L)x1.5”(D)x0.75”(H).
A Gaki is a "hungry ghost,” that undergoes more than human suffering, particularly an extreme degree of hunger and thirst. The Gaki and Oni on this netsuke could either be considered to be fighting or helping each other up on an eroticized lotus leaf. Given that gaki are suffering for mortal vices from a prior life, I suspect that the lotus leaf does indeed have a prurient meaning.
NetsukeNetsuke originated in 17th century Japan as a means for men who wore robes …
Japanese AntiquesJapan, with its history of seclusion, has long fascinated Westerners. When …