"A Japanese Horse"
A Japanese ivory netsuke of a horse that comes out of a pumpkin, with two front legs leans with its muzzle on the widest part of the pumpkin, where underneath is the largest himotoshi.The subject represents Chok’aro’s miniature horse, but it is also the symbol of a child emerging from his mother’s womb.
In Japanese there is a saying hyōtan kara koma, “a horse that appears from a pumpkin”. It is used when something completely unexpected, even unbelievable, happens. It refers to the legend of Chokara sennin, an immortal being who possesses a horse which, if necessary, he can summon as if from a pumpkin. This expression reminds us that the unexpected can happen in life. Nature is as befits nature, fickle and unpredictable.
Edo period late 18th century
Sizes: 3,9 x 3 x 1,7 cm.
Condition report: Good condition