Description A LARGE AND POWERFUL BOXWOOD NETSUKE OF KAN'U WITH ATTENDANTUnsignedJapan, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The god of war carved on horseback, holding a sword in his left and a halberd in his right hand, his attendant grasping the reins of the agitated horse, the horse's feet standing on a square base. Good chimney himotoshi through the back and horse.HEIGHT 6.3 cmCondition: Restorations to the rein, hand of the attendant, and one side of the base. Otherwise good condition with associated surface wear and a warm, rich patina.Provenance: German private collection.Kan'u (Guan Yu, died 219) was a general serving under the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han Dynasty of China. He played a significant role in the civil war that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty and the establishment of the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period. As one of the best-known Chinese historical figures throughout East Asia, Guan's true-life stories have largely given way to fictionalized ones, most of which are found in the historical novel 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'.The horse depicted in this netsuke is most likely Sekitoba, or Red Hare, a horse from the Three Kingdoms era, said to have a startling red mane and speed as quick as a rabbit. It was given to Guan yu by Cao Cao, a Chinese warlord, as an attempt to join his side during war.Literature comparison:Compare a related woodblock print of Guan yu on Sekitoba by Totoya Hokkei, dated 1780-1850, in the Art Institute Chicago, reference number 1954.561.Auction comparison:Compare a related ivory seal netsuke of Yojo and Cho Bujutsu, unsigned, mid-18th century, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 25 September 2020, lot 21 (sold for 7,000 EUR).