



A wood netsuke of the four shijin (guardian beasts) By Tametaka, Nagoya, 18th century
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Find your local specialistA wood netsuke of the four shijin (guardian beasts)
The ryu (dragon), minogame, ho-o and kirin clustered together to form a compact composition in rather worn and well-patinated wood, signed Tametaka. 4.2cm (1 5/8in).
Footnotes
木彫根付 四神 銘「為隆」 18世紀
Published: Japanese Netsuke, Inro and Lacquerware, Eskenazi Ltd., London, 1986, p.13, no.6.
For a similar model by Tametaka, see Netsuke, Condensed Culture of Edo, published by Nihon Netsuke Kenkyukai, Tokyo, 2005, no.105.
In ancient Chinese mythology, the grouping of four spiritual creatures are associated with the four cardinal directions with each creature guarding a direction on the compass warding off evil spirits: the green/blue dragon of the East, the white tiger of the West, the red phoenix of the North and the tortoise-like chimera with the head and tail of a serpent of the South.