Japanese wooden netsuke depicting an expressive mask – signed Eizen – Late Edo period

Description

Japanese netsuke in carved wood representing a mask of an elderly man with a grimacing face, inspired by the characters of Noh theater. The face, powerfully modeled, expresses a dramatic tension: furrowed forehead, prominent eyebrows, protruding nose and mouth half-open in an angry grimace. The expression is controlled with a restrained force, typical of works from the end of the Edo period (19th century).

The wood, probably boxwood (tsuge), has a warm, satiny patina, testifying to long use. The interior reveals careful carving, with pierced himotoshi and a back bar signed 英善作 (Eizen saku), “made by Eizen”.

In the Noh tradition, masks of elderly men, such as Okina and Ko-jō, symbolize wisdom, knowledge, and the cycle of life. This netsuke of free expression is part of this tradition, combining fidelity to the repertoire with individual interpretation.

Of beautiful dimensions (height 6 cm, width 4.2 cm, depth 2.8 cm), it illustrates the art of netsukeshi capable of condensing the power of a human face in a tiny volume, combining theatrical intensity and technical virtuosity.