YASUSADA SHUZAN: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A TANUKI By Yasusada Shuzan, signed Shuzan 秋山 Japan, Echigo province, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved as a tanuki wearing a sleeveless jacket, its belly protruding and its two front paws readied to start drumming on its belly. The shapeshifting raccoon dog looks upwards into the sky. Himotoshi and signature SHUZAN underneath. LENGTH 4.4 cm Condition: Excellent condition with hardly any wear. Provenance: German private collection, purchased from Sagemonoya, Tokyo. The tanuki possesses magical powers and can change forms, sometimes into Buddhist monks; they are jovial, but also dangerous, as they have been known to suffocate hunters with their enormous scrotum. The act of drumming on the belly, according to legend, was used by tanuki to beguile travelers and hunters to lead them astray. However, it has also been said that tanuki would get together just for fun, drumming on their bellies under the moonlight, perhaps even with some sake involved. Auction comparison: For another netsuke of a boar by this rare artist see Bonhams, Harriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art, 8 November 2011, London, lot 177 (sold for 4,375 GBP).