† HOKYUDO ITSUMIN: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A BLIND MAN CLEANING HIS TEETHBy Hokyudo Itsumin (active 1830-1870), signed Hokyudo Itsumin 逢丘堂丘堂 to 刀 Japan, Edo (Tokyo), c. 1830, Edo period (1615-1868)The blind man of slender stature, wearing geta sandals and a long robe opening at the chest, tied at his waist with a broad obi suspending a kinchaku (pouch) and kiseruzutsu (pipe case), supporting himself on a cane, and cleaning his teeth using a fusayoji (tufted toothpick). The back with asymmetrical himotoshi, the larger hole of oval shape. The wood with a fine, dark patina.HEIGHT 8 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor wear.Provenance: Max Rutherston Ltd., London, United Kingdom. A noted private collection, USA, acquired from the above. Chew sticks are twigs or roots of certain plants that are chewed until one end is frayed. This end can be used to brush against the teeth, while the other end can be used as a toothpick. The earliest chew sticks have been dated to Babylonia in 3500 BC and an Egyptian tomb from 3000 BC. They are mentioned in Chinese records dating from 1600 BC, in the Ayurvedas around the 4th century BC and in Tipitaka, in the Buddhist Canon around the 5th century BC in India. The custom came to Japan with Buddhism and became popular during the mid-Edo period. Fusayoji (tufted toothpicks) were made from fragrant trees such as willow and black letters and were sold at shrine precincts.Everyday figural subjects are rare in Itsumin’s work and this is likely an early work by the Edo school netsukeshi.13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer’s premium – only for buyers within the EU.