Page 176 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

191 | HOSHUNSAI MASAYUKI: A FINE WOOD
NETSUKE OF A HATCHING TENGU
By Hoshunsai Masayuki, signed Masayuki with kakihan
Japan, Tokyo, second half of 19th century

A fine, compact model depicting a hatching tengu, also known as
‘tengu no tomago’. A popular model by the artist better known for
his fine stag antler carvings (nos. 186-189). The tengu, wearing a
tokin cap, lifts itself from the edge of the cracked eggshell with a
yearning expression, his eyes formed by two concentric rings. A fine
detail to the back is a stem of fan-shaped mushroom and a finely
carved crumpled leaf. The underside with asymmetrical himotoshi,
one of them ringed in ivory, and the signature MASAYUKI 正之 with
kakihan.
LENGTH 3.2 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: British collection.

Literature comparison: Compare with an ivory variant in Sydney
L. Moss Ltd. (2016) Kokusai the Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in
Japan, Part 3, p. 84f., no. 380.
Estimate EUR 2.500,-
Starting price EUR 1.250,-

190 | HOSHUNSAI MASAYUKI: A RARE WOOD
NETSUKE OF A YOUNG MONK BEATING
A MANCHURIAN
By Hoshunsai Masayuki, signed Masayuki and kakihan
Japan, Tokyo, second half of 19th century

The young monk seated on top of the Chinese man, pushing him
down and holding his fist up threateningly. The man is cowering,
his hands underneath put together in a begging gesture, and
has multiple boils on his head from the repeated beating he has
endured. Both expressions are carved very finely, and the Chinese
man has a minutely carved braided ponytail (queue), worn by
Manchurian men, which extends to the underside. The underside
with asymmetrical himotoshi and signature MASAYUKI 正之 and
kakihan in a gourd-shaped reserve.
HEIGHT 3.5 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: European collection.
Literature comparison: A similar netsuke of a young monk beating
a kappa-like monster is illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick /
Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 494.
Auction comparison: For a
related netsuke of a boy on
a tortoise showing the same
gourd-shaped reserve, see
Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 15
May 2014, London, lot 49.
Estimate EUR 2.500,-
Starting price EUR 1.250,-

172 173