Show wonderful figure ono one ot of the most marvelous workmen in tho the world is Hana haganuma numa masakichi of tokyo who has carved a figure in wood so like himself that when the two are placed side aide by side it is said to be almost impossible to tell which lives and breathes nud and which does not by several connoisseurs in art this wooden figure has been pronounced the most perfect and human image of man ever made masakichi has faithfully reproduced every scar vein and wrinkle to be seen on his las 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 boles holes were drilled for the reception of hairs and the wooden figure has glass eyes and eyo eyelashes lashes iu in which no dissimilarity to can bo be detected the japanese artist posed between two mirrors while modeling this figure and for some time after its completion he posed frequently beside it to the confusion of spectators who were often entirely at a loss as to which was the artist the figure stands with a little mask in one hand and an instrument for carving in the other the lifelike eyes are apparently gazing at the mask and the face wears a look of intense absorption |