Equestrian miniature of “captain” Oguri on a chessboard – netsuke

This miniature fastener carved of ivory depicts a well-known figure of the peak period of Japanese drama, “Captain” Oguri (Oguri Hangan), who, according to legend, knew how to make his horse stand on a chessboard or a go board with all four hooves. Oguri Hangan Daisukeshige (1398–1464) was the son of a provincial aristocrat, who was defeated by the Ashikaga clan. The later depictions of his life story highlight his adventurous youth.