unsigned wood netsuke

18th century

standing oni holding basket of beans

height 3 1/8 in., 8 cm

boldly carved, standing with one leg raised while holding a basket of beans at his right shoulder, and a sack in his left hand, a cloth draped over his horns barely conceals their presence, unsigned

This netsuke refers to the ritual exorcism associated with the lunar New Year and setsubun (lit. 'seasonal divide', most commonly the first day before spring). During the ritual, known as tsuina, soybeans are scattered while chanting oni-yarai (from harau, lit. to cleanse or purify) to expel any demons from the household. In this model, the oni carries the beans himself, perhaps in an attempt to avoid the ritual.