BANRYUSAI: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A HANNYA MASK CARVER By Banryusai Kasoko, signed Toto Banryusai Kasoko sen kore 東都 盤龍齋 嘉側 鐫之 Japan, Edo (Tokyo), early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved as a seated mask carver wearing an elaborately carved robe, rather unusually executed in the ittobori (single cut) technique. The carver is holding a Hannya mask in his left hand, while imitating its facial features. The very finely carved expression of the man provides a pleasing contrast to his robe and to the Hannya mask, which is also executed in ittobori. Large functional himotoshi in the back and underneath. The underside finely polished and with the signature and inscription Toto BANRYUSAI Kasoko sen kore [Banryusai Kasoko (from) the Eastern capital (Edo) carved this]. HEIGHT 3 cm, LENGTH 3.5 cm Condition: Tiny chip to one thumb, otherwise in very good condition with minor expected surface wear. Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection. This netsuke is particularly interesting, not only due to the unusual carving technique, but also due to the inscription. There is only one other netsuke recorded by this artist, which is a wood netsuke of the thunder god Raijin formerly in the Tomkinson collection and illustrated in MCI Part A on page 12. The present netsuke not only gives us another name for this carver but also indicates that he was active in Edo (Tokyo).