Page 106 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

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

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