19th century wooden netsuke of Shoki (Demon Queller) seated on a table with one foot dangling and a sword on a table behind his back, while a terrified oni (little mischievous demon) is hiding under the table looking for a way to escape. Wonderful quality carving - see their great faces, hair and clothing. Nice wear consistent with age, fantastic warm patina. Cursively signed TOKUSAI on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 1107 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. For a very similar netsuke but unsigned netsuke see Sotheby's NETSUKE FROM THE COLLECTION OF RAYMOND AND FRANCES BUSHELL, London, November 18, 1999, lot 39. Wonderful sculpture by rare carver. Height 1 7/8 inches.