MASAKAZU: A WOOD NETSUKE OF TWO SUMO WRESTLERS By Kihodo Masakazu, signed Masakazu 正一 Japan, Osaka, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Depicting two sumo wrestlers locked in combat with fierce expressions, the one in the front executing the kawazu gaku technique (one leg entanglement drop), as he coils his leg around his opponent's, effectively using his weight to topple him. Several natural himotoshi between the two fighters, signed on the loincloth MASAKAZU. HEIGHT 5.2 cm Condition: Two toes with old repairs, otherwise in good condition with minor wear. Provenance: European collection. The two wrestlers practice the kawazu throw, so named after the famous wrestler Kawazu no Saburo Sukeyasu. When the latter was pulled up by his opponent Matano Goro Kunihisa (Kagehisa) by the loincloth, Sukeyasu prevented the hip swing by bringing down his opponent with his leg. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related netsuke by Masakazu, dated late 19th century, at Bonhams, Fine Netsuke from a French Private Collection, 4 November 2020, London, lot 34 (sold for 4,812 GBP).