Page 156 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

MANJU NETSUKE

167 | KIKUGAWA MASAMITSU: A FINE
INLAID IVORY MANJU NETSUKE
165 | MORITOSHI KOSAI: AN EARLY By Kikugawa Masamitsu, signed Kikugawa Masamitsu and
MANJU NETSUKE OF SATO kakihan
TADANOBU Japan, Edo, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

By Moritoshi Kosai, signed Moritoshi with kakihan
Japan, first half of 19th century, Edo period Crafted from a finely polished and choice piece of ivory
(1615-1868) and carved in shishiabori (sunken relief) in the front with
an image of a boy as a sambaso dancer, wearing an
eboshi decorated with red lacquer, and holding a fan and
An early two-part manju netsuke with a good patina a bell tree. Beautifully crafted facial features and details
and finely carved in shishiabori (sunken relief) on both inlaid in green-stained ivory. The backside with a finely
sides (!) depicting Sato Tadanobu fighting for his life, engraved image of an uprooted pine sapling, an allusion
being attacked from behind. The backside shows a to ne no hi no asabi (entertainment of the day of the rat),
warrior with the go-board Tadanobu famously used and the signature KIKUGAWA MASAMITSU 菊川正光 and
to subdue his attackers, before eventually committing kakihan.
ritual suicide. Signed in the back MORITOSHI 守壽 with
the characteristic flying crane kakihan. DIAMETER 4.5 cm
DIAMETER 4.7 cm Condition: Very good condition. One tiny chip on the
inside and fine age cracks to the backside.
Condition: Very good condition, the inked features Provenance: French private collection, old collection
slightly worn. number on the inside.
Provenance: Collection John and Donnie Hawley.
Literature comparison: Compare to a similar manju
Estimate EUR 2.000,- netsuke in Seaman, Joyce (2013) Manju: Netsuke from
Starting price EUR 1.000,- The Collection of the Ashmolean Museum, p. 127, no. 49.
Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUR 600,-
166 | MEIKEISAI HOJITSU: A FINE IVORY
MANJU NETSUKE OF BENKEI,
KANJINCHO
168 | ISSHINSAI MASAYUKI: AN
By Meikeisai Hojitsu, signed Meikeisai Hojitsu with IVORY MANJU NETSUKE
kakihan WITH NOH DANCER
Japan, Edo, mid-19th century, Edo period
(1615-1868) By Isshinsai Masayuki, signed Isshinsai
with kakihan
Japan, Osaka, mid-19th century,
A superbly polished and lightly stained manju Edo period (1615-1868)
netsuke carved in shishiabori (sunken relief) on
the front depicting Benkei reading from a Buddhist
subscription list. This scene is known as kanjincho. An unusually thick two-part manju
The backside with a finely engraved image of a cane netsuke carved in the front in shishiabori
and hat resting on an o’I (travelling straw basket). (sunken relief) with a Noh actor wearing
Signed MEIKEISAI HOJITSU 明鶏齋法實 with kakihan. a Hannya mask, his robe decorated with
fine patterns and with some red pigment.
DIAMETER 4.4 cm The reverse shows a finely engraved
peony branch with a blooming and
Condition: Superb condition. budding flower. Signed ISSHINSAI 一心齋
Provenance: English private collection. with red kakihan. Central himotoshi and
cord attachment on the inside.
Benkei is one of the great heroes of the 12th century
and became famous for his adventures wrapped in DIAMETER 4.7 cm, THICKNESS 2.8 cm (!)
legend. He became friends with another famous hero,
Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and when the latter was Condition: Excellent condition.
pursued by his brother Yoritomo, Benkei saved him Provenance: British collection.
with a genius bluff. They were stopped at a bridge by
Yoritomo’s men and Benkei pretended to read from Literature comparison: A very similar
a Buddhist subscription list, identifying themselves as netsuke by the artist described as a
money collectors for the temple of Nara, effectively Shakkiyo dancer is in Meinertzhagen,
fooling the guards. This scene is depicted in this Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI,
netsuke. Part A, p. 496.
Estimate EUR 1.500,- Estimate EUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUR 750,- Starting price EUR 500,-

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