
Completed in 2016 and developed over the following years this reishi fungi is made from mountain mahogany and stained to give it an aged, leathery look. It was inspired by my visits to the Shosei-en garden in Kyoto in September and the reishi fungi found there-in. The leathery fungi were well at home in the historic setting of the beautiful garden. A small bastion of peace and tranquillity nestled in the heart of the ancient capital. It’s been a work of many years, which is rather apt for the subject matter, symbolising longevity.
This netsuke is around 60mm long and 25mm deep. it has a natural himotoshi and ukibori has been used to depict the spurs underneath.