Here we go, looks like Unkei was the main man, I think that one of the six patriarch figures might have been the one that I saw all those years ago.

I've a feeling that these examples may be a little ambitious for a beginner.

This is the sort of carving that I'd like to be able to do, the ascetic Buddha (or Shakyamuni correctly I suppose, it being pre-enlightenment) is a wonderful subject too.

I've always liked woodcarving, especially since reading Hermann Hesse's 'Narziss & Goldmund', but for now we can just add it to the list of things that I want to do but have yet to apply myself to.

There's a Japanese carving of a tea master I was really impressed by, in either the British Museum or the V & A, it was a while ago. I'll try and find it and post again on this subject.