Boxwood netsuke depicting the poet Saigyo Hoshi contemplating the top of Mount Fuji.
Saigyo Hoshi (1118-1190) was a poet, born of the nobility, who became a monk at the age of 22 taking the religious name En’i 円位. Later it took the pen name, “Saigyō”, which means Western journey, a reference to Amitabha Buddha and the Western paradise. His most famous poems evoke his many travels in Japanese nature. Traditionally it is often depicted at the foot of Mount Fuji as in this case, in an episode called “Saigyo ni Fuji”.

For similar examples see:
– The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Margaret Olivia Sage collection, New York donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
– British Museum, formerly part of the Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks Collection, is illustrated by H. Joly, LIJA, p.155.
Origin: Japan
Period: Edo 19th cent.
Dimensions: 4,5 x 6 x 3 cm.
Conservation status: Very Good
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