Page 145 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

151 | JOUNSAI: A WOOD NETSUKE
OF A PROFESSIONAL SNEEZER
By Jounsai, signed Jounsai
Japan, probably Tokyo, late 19th/early 20th century, Meiji period
(1868-1912)

Depicting a seated professional sneezer, tickling his nose for
the amusement of bypassers. His distorted expression is quite
amusing, as he is about to sneeze. A sagemono set is tied to his obi
at the back and the himotoshi, next to the signature JOUNSAI 如雲
齋 on the underside, are ringed in bone. The wood is finely polished
and the stain very appealing, very much reminiscent of the stain
used for pieces from the So-school in Tokyo.

HEIGHT 4.2 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: Sold at Lempertz, 25 November 1994, lot 966.
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-

152 | NAKAMURA KUYA: A FINE
WOOD NETSUKE OF MOMOTARO
By Nakamura Kuya (1881-1961), signed Kuya
Japan, Tokyo, 20th century

Depicting Momotaro emerging from a peach, the wood
150 | OUCHI GYOKUSO: A VERY FINE WOOD beautifully stained. The peach boy is naked and chubby, his hair
NETSUKE OF A PRIEST WITH COURTESAN is finely incised. The expression is sensitively crafted. Note the
naturalistically rendered surface texture of the inside of the peach.
By Ouchi Gyokuso (1879-1944), signed Gyokuso Himotoshi through the leafy stem on the underside and signed
Japan, Tokyo, first half of 20th century KUYA 空哉.

HEIGHT 3.2 cm
Extremely fine carving of a priest sharing a pipe with a courtesan
atop a lotus leaf, an offering bowl placed in front of them with a Condition: Excellent condition.
rosary hanging on the outside, one of the pearls inlaid in coral. Provenance: British collection.
The priest wears an armlet which is inlaid with jadeite. The wood is
typically stained with a very fine polish, the individual expressions Nakamura Kuya was the teacher and father of famous carver
are masterfully executed, and the robe of the courtesan is finely Nakamura Tokisada, better known under his go Masatoshi (catalog
decorated. The underside shows the beautiful veiny structure of no. 153).
the lotus leaf, the himotoshi formed by the stem, and the signature
GYOKUSO 玉藻 on an inlaid red-lacquer cartouche. It is possible Auction comparison: For another netsuke by this carver see
that the priest depicted is here is Ikkyu, who enjoyed the company Bonhams, The Bluette H. Kirchhoff Collection of Netsuke and
of courtesans. Sagemono, 16 September 2009, New York, lot 2136.
HEIGHT 3 cm Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: Austrian private estate.

Ouchi Gyokuso was a distinguished member of the So-school, and
pupil of Miyasaki Joso. Furthermore, he was the father of Ouchi
Sosui (1911-1972).
Literature comparison: This netsuke is perhaps best comparable to
a netsuke of Jizo and an oni wrestling atop a lotus leaf by Gyokuso
in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A,
p. 106.
Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.000,-

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