A MARVELLOUS FIGURE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 121, 14 July 1911, Page 7

A MARVELLOUS FIGURE.

One of the most marvellous workmen in the world is Hananuraa Masakiclii, of Tokio Japan, who has carved a figure in wood so like himself that when the two are placed side by side it. is said to bo almost impossible to toll which lives and breathes and which does not. By several connoisseurs in art this wooden figure has been pronounced the’ most perfect and human image of man. over made. Masakicki has faithfully reproduced,every scar, veil and wrinkle to bo seen on his own body. The figure is composed of 2000 pieces of wood, dovetailed and jointed with such wonderful skill that no seams can be detected. Tiny holes were drilled for the recaption of liairs, and the w'obden fig-' n.-e has glass eyes and eyelashes in which no dissimilarity to 1 kicki s can be detected. The Japanese artist posed between two mirrows while modelling this figure, and for some time after its completion he posed frequently beside it, to the contusion of spectators, who wore often entirely at a loss • as to which was the artist. The fig- • tiro stands with a little mask in one j hand, and an instrument tor carving I in the other: the bio-like, eyes are j apparently ga/.iog at tbe mask, and ; the face wears a look of. intense, ap-, ; . sorption.