HIDARI ISSAN: A CHARMING WOOD NETSUKE OF A DARUMA DOLLBy Hidari Issan, signed Hidari Issan 左一山Japan, Iwashiro Province, c. 1840, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Wilhelm, Gabor (2004) Bulletin Franco-Japonais, no. 84, p. 36-37 (unillustrated).Wilhelm, Gabor (Summer 2004) On the Continent, International Netsuke Society Journal, Vol. 24, No. 2, p. 20.Well carved as a Daruma doll with hairy arms raised and hands placed on his head, the bearded face with a cheerful expression, the mouth wide open revealing tongue and teeth, the eyes inlaid with dark wood ringed in gilt-metal, as is typical for this artist. Good himotoshi, the larger hole generously excavated and forming a base ring. Signed within an oblong reserve HIDARI ISSAN.HEIGHT 3.3 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor wear. Provenance: Galerie Yamato, Paris, 2004, no. 15. French private collection, acquired from the above.A Daruma doll is a round, traditional roly-poly doll (okiagari) modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen tradition of Buddhism. Though considered a toy by some, Daruma has a design that is rich in symbolism and is regarded more as a talisman of good luck to the Japanese.Museum comparison: Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a Roly-Poly Daruma by Hidari Issan, formerly in the collection of Raymond Bushell and now in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.91.250.271.