Page 199 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

221 | A RARE SAISHIKI NETSUKE OF
AN IMMORTAL WITH HOSSU
Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A rare saishiki (painted) hinoki wood netsuke depicting a standing
immortal holding a hossu (Buddhist fly whisk) over his shoulder.
His emaciated ribs are shown. His face is expressively carved, and
the mouth is opened. The cypress wood is colored in polychrome
220 | A SUPERB
SAISHIKI pigments and gesso, characteristically worn, the white gofun
NETSUKE OF ground visible underneath. Very large, beautifully worn himotoshi
KANSHIN through the back.
HEIGHT 10.6 cm
Unsigned
Japan, Osaka, late 18th to Condition: Good, appropriately worn condition with abrasions to
early 19th century, Edo period polychrome pigments.
(1615-1868) Provenance: Ex-collection Mrs. Gunvor Bjorkman.
Published: Östasiatiska Auction comparison: A related netsuke, probably carved by the
Museet (1999) Netsuke, p. 60. same hand, was sold by Lempertz, Asiatische Kunst, 7 June 2019,
Exhibited: Östasiatiska Cologne, lot 374.
Museet, Sweden, Stockholm, 16
October 1999 – 9 January 2000. Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-
A saishiki (painted) hinoki
wood netsuke of Kanshin
crawling through the legs of
a rogue challenger, looking to
the right with an amusingly
humiliated expression. The
challenger lifts his robe
letting Kanshin pass through,
the opening forming the
himotoshi, looking backwards
disgruntled. The juxtaposition
of the individual expressions is
masterful. The hinoki (cypress)
wood is painted with gesso
and polychrome pigments,
characteristically worn.
222 | A GOOD SAISHIKI NETSUKE OF A SCHOLAR
HEIGHT 6.2 cm
Unsigned
Condition: Excellent, Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
characteristically worn
condition. Published: Östasiatiska Museet (1999) Netsuke, p. 69.
Provenance: Ex collection Mrs. Exhibited: Östasiatiska Museet, Sweden, Stockholm, 16 October
Gunvor Bjorkman. 1999 – 9 January 2000.
Kanshin was the grandson
of the Chinese prince of A fine and expressive hinoki (cypress) wood carving with applied
Han, dispossessed of his green and black pigments. Depicted is a scholar, smiling, and
land and reduced to living carrying a pack of scrolls on his back attached to a green-colored
in poverty. One day walking rope. The scholar’s obi is colored green as well. The garment
through a marketplace, he folds are finely carved and accentuated with black pigments.
was challenged by a coarse Large, wonderfully worn himotoshi through the back.
ruffian who refused to let him
pass unless he would draw HEIGHT 9.4 cm
his sword or crawl through his
legs. Kanshin chose the latter Condition: Very good age-related condition including some wear
as he refused to fight anyone to pigments and small chips to the cypress wood.
of lower birth. Provenance: Ex-collection Mrs. Gunvor Bjorkman.
Estimate EUR 2.500,- Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 1.250,- Starting price EUR 750,-

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