TWO JAPANESE WOOD NETSUKE

TWO JAPANESE WOOD NETSUKE

MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY

One carved as a small frog dozing off on a wooden bucket, the front part of the vessel opening to give access to the himotoshi, signed Masanao underneath for Masanao of Yamada, Ise Province; the other depicting two hozuki physalis on a branch, the husk of one peeling off to revealing the inner berry made of red coral, signed Minko, 3.5cm and 4cm respectively. (2)

In Japanese culture, the lantern-like hozuki are used as traditional offerings during the Bon festival to help guide the souls of the Dead. A large market dedicated to the flower takes place every year on 9th-10th July near the ancient Buddhist temple of Senso-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo.