Page 133 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

132 | IKKOSAI: A RARE IVORY
NETSUKE OF A SKULL
By Ikkosai Saito Itaro, signed Ikkosai
Japan, Edo, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Finely carved as a slightly flattened, stylized skull with cavernous
holes for eyes, sunken eye sockets and four teeth. The underside
with a fine patina, a loop for cord attachment and the slightly worn
signature IKKOSAI 一光齋.
HEIGHT 2.2 cm, LENGTH 4.2 cm
Condition: Good condition with surface scratches and wear.
Provenance: British collection.
Though a very unusual subject for Saito Itaro, the signature is quite
idiosyncratic for the master (see INSJ, Vol. 39, no. 3, Fall 2019, p. 35.)
Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.000,-

134 | IKKOSAI KOJITSU: A FINE IVORY
OKIMONO OF ENTERTAINERS
By Ikkosai Saito Yataro (Kojitsu), signed Ikkosai
Japan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912)

133 | IKKOSAI: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE Published: Rimondi, Gianni: Combien de Ikkosai. Part 1. In:
OF SUSANO-O NO MIKOTO International Netsuke Society Journal, Vol. 39, no. 2, Spring 2019,
SLAYING THE DRAGON p. 30, fig.38.
By Ikkosai, signed Ikkosai
Japan, Edo, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The finely carved ivory okimono depicts a street entertainer along
with his two children during the Shishimai (lion dance) festival. The
adult and older child are banging their drum, while the youngest
Depicting Susano-o no Mikoto with a fierce expression, biting down stands on his feet and hands in an acrobatic position. Both children
on his lip, grabbing a dragon by his horns and plunging his sword have characteristic lion headdresses. Note the expressively carved
down the beast’s throat. The hair of the hero is finely incised and face of the adult. The robes are adorned with patterns, the ivory is
inked. The flames and mouth of the dragon, and Susano-o’s lip lightly stained and a sagemono set is tied at the back to the man’s
shows some red pigment - this and the manner of the dragon are obi. Signature IKKOSAI 一光齋 inside a wavy reserve.
very typical for Ikkosai Saito Itaro, though the present piece is most
likely by a talented pupil, as the signature is incised in a peculiar HEIGHT 7.6 cm
manner. Himotoshi through the reverse, above the signature
IKKOSAI 一光齋. Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: British collection.
HEIGHT 4.3 cm
As noted in the article on Ikkosai in INSJ volume 39, no. 2, the
Condition: Very good condition with age cracks. okimono is particularly interesting as it shows Saito Yataro (Ikkosai
Provenance: European collection, formerly offered at Van Ham Kojitsu) had changed his output during the Meiji period, as netsuke
(estimate 3.500 EUR), Asiatische Kunst, 7 December 2012, became less fashionable and the demand for okimono increased
Cologne, lot 2292. drastically.
Estimate EUR 2.500,- Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.250,- Starting price EUR 1.000,-

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