Page 105 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

100 | SEIYODO BUNSHOJO: A SUBLIME BOAR-TUSK
NETSUKE WITH SPIDER AND FERNS
By Seiyodo Bunshojo (1764-1838), signed Nihon San’indo Iwami
Enokawa Seiyodo Bunshojo chokoku
Japan, Iwami province, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period
(1615-1868)
Published: Earle, Joe (2000) The Robert S. Huthart Collection of
Iwami Netsuke, Vol. 1, p. 110, no. 90.
Carved from a choice, beautifully shimmering boar tusk with
pronounced curvature. Towards the narrow end the artist has
carved a large spider in high relief with incised hair on its thick
segmented body, large fangs and inlaid eyes. The spider is carved
with a superior sense of naturalism, which is extraordinarily rare for
comparable Iwami tusk netsuke with spiders. Below the arachnid
are delicately engraved ferns next to the signature and inscription
reading SEIYODO BUNSHOJO 青陽堂 文章女 carved this by the Eno
River in the San’indo region of Japan. With a zoomorphic pot seal.
LENGTH 10.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition with natural veining and minor age
cracks.
Provenance: The Robert S. Huthart Collection.
Seiyodo Bunshojo (1764-1838) was the eldest daughter of Seiyodo
Tomiharu (1733-1811), the founder of the Iwami school. Her work
is deemed as of equal stature of her father’s and she achieved
widespread recognition as a professional artist by the men of her
time – which was an incredibly rare feat in the Japan of the 18th
century.
Auction comparison: Compare to two similar boar tusk netsuke
by Seiyodo Bunshojo, which also illustrate the superior carving of
the spider in the present netsuke. The first sold at Bonhams, The
Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke Part I, 15 May 2019,
London, lot 47. The second sold at Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi
Sale of Japanese Art. 8 November 2011, London, lot 247.
Estimate EUR 7.000,-
Starting price EUR 3.500,-
102
101 | SEIYODO GANSUI: A SUBLIME BOAR TUSK
NETSUKE WITH A POEM OF THE EIGHT VIEWS
OF OUMI HAKKEI
By Seiyodo Gansui (1809-1848), signed Seiyodo Gansui koku, Iwami
Enokawa-nishi
Japan, Iwami province, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: International Netsuke Society Journal, Volume 27, No,1,
pp. 8-11.
A sublime, shimmering boar tusk netsuke with pronounced
curvature. The surface is left uncarved other than minutely incised
calligraphy featuring eight poems which relate to the eight views
of Oumi Hakkei (Lake Biwa). Each of the eight poems written in
sosho (running script) features a four-character poetic title, here
translated in order: Clearing Mist of Awazu, Night Rain at Karasaki,
Descending Geese at Katata, Returning Sails at Yabase, Evening
Snow at Mt. Hira, Sunset Glow at Seta River, Evening Bell at Miidera
Temple and Autumn Moon at Ishiyamadera Temple. The design
is probably inspired by the woodblock print set by famous artist
Ando Hiroshige (1797 – 1858), who was a contemporary of Gansui.
Signed SEIYODO GANSUI 青陽堂巌水 koku, Iwami Enokawa-nishi
[Carved by Gansui, by the West of Enokawa River in Iwami
Province].
LENGTH 10.5 cm
Condition: Good condition with fine age cracks and a tiny chip to
the opened terminus of the tusk.
Provenance: Collection John and Donnie Hawley.
A full translation of the poems can be found in the journal of the
International Netsuke Society, Volume 27, no.1, pp. 8-11.
Seiyodo Gansui (1809-1848) was the grandchild of Seiyodo
Tomiharu (1733-1810) and son of Seiyodo Bunshojo (1764-1838).
His output is considerably rarer than most Iwami province carvers.
Estimate EUR 7.000,-
Starting price EUR 3.500,-
103