SHUCHIKU: A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A FAT TOAD ON LOTUS LEAF By Shuchiku (Akitake), signed Shuchiku 秋竹 Japan, c. 1800, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Bandini, Rosemary (2014) Japanese Netsuke of the Collection of Teddy Hahn, no. 41. Superbly carved as a fat toad resting with splayed legs on top of a curled up lotus leaf. The warty skin is rendered with raised ukibori pimples, and the equally well-carved underside shows ever so slightly raised radial veins on the lotus leaf. Natural himotoshi through the curved stem of the leaf and signed within a raised oval reserve SHUCHIKU. The artist appears to be unrecorded, the carving style is reminiscent of toads by Mitani Goho of the Aki province. LENGTH 4.7 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor surface wear, old chip to the edge of one foot, occasional light scratches on the underside. Superb patina. Provenance: Ex-collection Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt. Auction comparison: Compare to a related wood netsuke of a toad in bamboo by Mitani Goho, sold at Bonhams, The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke Part I, 15 May 2019, London, lot 73 (sold for 31,312 GBP).