Description TADATOSHI: A LARGE WOOD NETSUKE OF GAMA SENNINBy Tadatoshi, signed Tadatoshi 忠利Japan, Nagoya, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A boldly carved, tall figure of the hermit Gama Sennin, a warty toad clambering on his back, the eyes of both inlaid. Gama is dressed in a well-carved leaf cloak with long draping sleeves. Signed in ukibori characters on the side of the right leg TADATOSHI. Two himotoshi through the back and natural himotoshi between the sennin's right arm and the toad.HEIGHT 12.7 cmCondition: Good condition with associated surface wear, some fine age cracks. The two pierced himotoshi in the back have been probably added at some point.Provenance: European private collection.Tall figures by the Nagoya carver Tadatoshi are unheard of. The carving style and quality, staining, and signature are coherent with his work.Literature comparison:A wood netsuke of a seated Gama sennin, by Tadatoshi, is illustrated in the Netsuke Kenkyukai, vol. 15, no. 3, p.14, fig. 10 (and featured on the cover).