Okanobu - 5487
Shōki, a Chinese scholar who lived in the seventh century and became a mythical figure engaged in hunting down demons, in this ivory netsuke is depicted standing with his left hand raised to hold the large hat, while his right hand is resting on the sword's hilt; on his shoulders he carries a closed umbrella. On the back are placed the himotoshi and the signature Okanobu (岡 信).
As in this example, Shōki is usually depicted with a sword and long beard swept by the wind. In netsuke representation he not only is seen defeating the demons, but also molested by them, thus marking the comic aspect of his personality.
Okanobu, active in Kyōto in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, was one of several students of Okatomo. A few of his works are known, almost all animals in ivory.
The Lanfranchi collection has a netsuke signed Okatomo.