AN EXCELLENT AND RARE WOOD AND IVORY NETSUKE OF KI…AN EXCELLENT AND RARE WOOD AND IVORY NETSUKE OF KIYOHIME BY TOMINBy Tomin, wood and ivory netsukeJapan, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The netsuke is carved in from cherry wood depicting Kiyohime as a serpentine monster pursuing the priest Anchin in rage and wrapping her scaly body around the temple bell in Dojo-ji, in which Anchin is hiding. The priest Anchin fell in love with the once beautiful Kiyohime, but refrained from his passions, escaping from her which made Kiyohime transform into a dragon-like monster. In her rage she belched a fire so great it not only melted the temple bell but also killed Anchin. The extraordinarily well carved face, horns and claws are inlaid in ivory. The hair and scaly body are finely carved and expressive. The priest Anchin’s pained facial expression, intricately carved in ivory, is visible through a hole in the bell. In her right hand she holds a mallet made from wood. Good and irregular himotoshi on the underside as well as the signature TOMIN 東岷.HEIGHT 3.7 cmProvenance: Purchased from Zacke, Japanische Netsuke – Austellung 1990, no. 7. condition: A small section of the tip of the mallet has been restored, minor surface scratches on the underside. Generally, in very good condition.Auction comparison: Compare to a similar netsuke by Minko sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, 24. November 2018, Vienna, Lot 70.