Netsuke - Tekkai Sennin - 19th Century - Deer Antler

Deer antler netsuke representing Tekkai sennin standing, straddling his staff with one leg and holding his long beard with one hand.
The pupils inlaid with brown horn.

Tekkai Sennin is the Japanese adaptation of one of the Chinese Eight Immortals. He was believed to be able to leave his body and travel for long periods of time using his soul. One day, he asked a disciple to watch over his body during one of his spiritual journeys. He ordered him to burn it if his spirit did not return after seven days. On the sixth day, however, the disciple's mother died, so he burned his master's body and returned home. Returning on the seventh day, Tekkai's spirit found his body missing, leaving him with no choice but to adopt the corpse of an emaciated beggar he found by the side of the road.

Japan, 19th century.
Good condition, small loss behind the heel.
Beautiful patina, especially on the hand and folded leg of the immortal.

Dimensions:
Height: 7 cm
Depth: 1.7 cm
Width: 3.1 cm

Shipping is careful and will be done the day after receipt of payment.