Wood netsuke of an owl on a branch, Nagoya school

 19^th century

Height: 4.3 cm

The netsuke shows an owl perched on an ancient, creeper-clad pine branch. Leaves drape over its back, and the forked branch at the rear forms the himotoshi. The worn wood bears a fine patina, and the eyes, inlaid in bone with dark pupils, enhance the lifelike expression of the bird.

This example is in the style of Ikkyu, an accomplished carver from Nagoya active in the 19^th century, known for his finely detailed renderings of animals and birds. His work often exhibits a naturalistic yet animated quality, with an emphasis on texture and movement.