Isshinsai Masanao - ryusa-style manju
Ise Yamada, circa 1820
A ryusa-style wood manju densely carved with toys and talismans associated with some of the most popular festivals. To the front: a battledore, a pair of hina dolls, an inari fox, the reverse with an okame mask, a sword, chrysanthemums, a tray of mochi (rice cakes) and a shimenawa (a rice straw or hemp rope used for purification in Shinto ritual).
By comparison with netsuke signed Isshinsai Masanao and a study of the signatures recorded by Meinterzhagen, this also appears to be by Isshinsai Masanao. From the sources consulted another example of a kao was not found.
