MORIKAWA TOEN: AN EXCEPTIONAL PAINTED WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ACTOR IN THE ROLE OF THE FOX PRIEST HAKUSOZUBy Morikawa Toen (1820-1894), signed with the artist’s kakihanJapan, Nara, second half of 19th centuryPublished: Okada, Barbara Teri & Neill, Mary Gardner (1980) Real and Imaginary Beings: The Netsuke Collection of Joseph and Edith Kurstin, p.110, no.116.Kurstin, Joseph & Ortega, Maria (1986) Masterworks of Netsuke and Other Japanese Miniature Art from American Collections, p.57, no.70.Kurstin, Joseph & Lorin, Gilles Feather (2006) The Peacock's Gentlemen's Jewelry of Old Japan, Delray Beach, Art Media Resources, p.23, no. 10.Yoshida, Yukari & Kurstin, Joseph, Questions & Answers (2007) International Netsuke Society Journal (INSJ) vol.27, no.1, p. 13, fig.4.Exhibited: Yale University Art Gallery, February 28-April 12, 1980Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach, Florida, January 10-March 18, 2007A masterpiece of ittobori (single cut) technique, the actor in the guise of a fox priest, playing the role of Hakusozu, wearing a mask, almost completely enveloped in an elaborate robe with headdress, leaning against a cane and holding prayer beads. The netsuke is treated with various polychrome pigments which are in perfect harmony with each other. Asymmetrical himotoshi to the back and signed with the artist’s kakihan.HEIGHT 8.9 cmCondition: Excellent condition with only very minor wear to exposed edges.Provenance: Ex-collection Joe Kurstin. Dr. M. Joseph ‘Joe’ Kurstin (1931-2021) was a prominent Miami ophthalmologist who arguably built one of the greatest netsuke collections of all time. He was known by netsuke and inro lovers worldwide and made many lifelong friends in this tight-knit community. He published several books and articles on the subject and generously lent his collection for exhibitions at the Yale University Gallery, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Epcot Center at Disney World, and The Tobacco and Salt Museum, Tokyo.Literature comparison:Compare to another netsuke depicting the same subject, by Morikawa Toen, however executed in a different style, in Bushell, Raymond (1993) An Introduction to Netsuke, p. 76, pl. 29.Museum comparison:A closely related netsuke depicting the same subject by Morikawa Toen, also signed with the artist’s kao, is in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), accession number AC1998.249.159.Hakuzosu is the name of a popular kitsune character who shapeshifted into a priest in the Kyogen play Tsurigitsune.Morikawa Toen was known for his Nara ningyo (dolls) sculptures and as a noh actor. His work was admired by the Daimyo of Tosa, the magistrate of Nara, who awarded him with names from Japanese mythology. The Imperial household also became his patrons. He received many prizes throughout his career and was later commissioned by the newly founded Tokyo Imperial Museum to make copies of ancient works of art.