A POWERFUL STAG ANTLER KISERUZUTSU DEPICTING A RAIN DRAGONUnsignedJapan, Tokyo, Asakusa district, late 19th centuryOf muso-zutsu form, finely carved in low and high relief with a ferocious, long-snouted rain dragon writhing amid thick scrolling clouds, its mane and other details neatly incised. The cord attachment is formed by the curling tail of the slender dragon. LENGTH 20 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear, natural flaws including expected minor age cracks, the interior with remnants of an old label. Literature comparison: A related stag antler kiseruzutsu with a single water dragon, likely from the same hand, is illustrated in Atchley, Virginia / Davey, Neil (2006) The Virginia Atchley Collection of Japanese Miniature Arts, p. 303, no. S42. A related stag antler netsuke signed and by Ozaki Kokusai is illustrated in Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (2016) Kokusai the Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. II, p. 376-377, no. 284. Another related stag antler netsuke, attributed to Ryu, is illustrated in Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (2016) Kokusai the Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. III, p. 340-341, no. 540.