As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this quite dramatic Meiji Period 1868-1912, carved wood and lacquered figural group depicting a battle between a Japanese fisherman and a large Octopus, or devil fish as it was also known, this type of wares were also known as Iki Ningyo ( living doll)  the artist has captured the battle in staggering lifelike detail, every muscle on the fisherman being strained as he battles to kill his quarry, the Octopus tentacles entwined upon every limb of its captor, only the safety net of the knife will surely render the fisherman the winner of this battle, the images speak for themselves.Iki NingyoThese incredible lifelike studies of everyday people and scenes of Japan were known as Iki Ningyo which literally means living doll, such was the skill of these artists to replicate the anatomical form in such fine detail, originally life size studies were used in the domestic market at shrines and as part of fairs and e...