Page 78 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

71 | TANAKA JUNTOKO MINKO: 72 | TANAKA JUNTOKO MINKO:
A LARGE WOOD NETSUKE OF A WOOD NETSUKE OF KIYOHIME
LAMENTING ONI WITH RASHOMON
ARM By Tanaka Juntoko Minko (1735-1816), signed Minko
Japan, Tsu, second half of 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
By Tanaka Juntoko Minko (1735-1816), unsigned
Japan, Tsu, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Depicting Kiyohime wrapped tightly around the bell of Dojo-ji,
Exhibited: Japan Information and Culture Center, holding a strand of hair in one of her clawed hands and grabbing
Embassy of Japan, Washington DC, Meet Netsuke! the handle of the bell with the other. Her serpentine, scaly body is
Storytellers of Japan, 2017, no. 98. finely carved and accentuated. She snarls at an opening of the bell
through which the minutely carved cowering priest Anchin can be
seen. The underside with large, asymmetrical himotoshi next to the
A well-used large wood netsuke of an oni seated next slightly worn signature MINKO 岷江.
to the severed arm of the Rashomon demon. The wood
of a very good color with an excellent hand patina. An early and powerful version of a model that was carved by all
The oni is holding a rosary while wiping the tears from members of the Tsu school, later executed with trick-designs and
his eyes, his face expressively carved. The horns of fine inlays.
the oni are inlaid in bone. Characteristically, large
himotoshi. HEIGHT 4 cm, LENGTH 5 cm
LENGTH 7.8 cm Condition: Very good worn condition. Restored crack to the base.
Provenance: British collection.
Condition: Fine, worn condition.
Provenance: Ex collection Dr. Jay Hopkins, Lynchburg VA. The priest Anchin fell in love with the once beautiful Kiyohime, but
refrained from his passions, escaping from her. This rejection made
The world of demons went into deep despair after Kiyohime transform into a dragon-like monster and in her rage, she
Watanabe no Tsuna severed Rashomon’s arm in the year belched a fire so great it not only melted the temple bell but also
976. This event is parodied in netsuke art, as really it was killed Anchin.
only a ‘drop in the ocean’.
Auction comparison: Compare to a similar early model sold by
Literature comparison: A signed variant is in Henri. L Joly, Sotheby’s, Japanese and Korean Works of Art, 14 July 2005, London,
The W. L Behrens Collection, no. 4441 (unillustrated). lot 1068.
Estimate EUR 2.500,- Estimate EUR 2.500,-
Starting price EUR 1.250,- Starting price EUR 1.250,-

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