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IMAI ŌSHIN 今井応心 (1874/5–1951) IMAI ŌSHIN 今井応心 (1874/5–1951)
A burlwood scepter Japan, Taisho (1912–1926) or Showa era A stag-antler scepter in the form of a lotus root Japan, Showa
(1926–1989), first half of the 20th century era (1926–1989), 1946
A scepter formed from a twisted stem of natural burlwood, minimally The principal branch of the antler left mostly uncarved except for
carved to improve the surface texture and overall form, giving it the the joins between the sections of the lotus root, the lesser branches
appearance of a dragon ascending through clouds, signed toward carved as curled lotus leaves just about to open out, one of them
one end Ōshin tō 応心刀 (Carved by Ōshin) with a tiny frog, signed near the base of the principal branch
With a wood tomobako storage box inscribed outside Tennenmoku Nanajūni-ō Ōshin tō 七十二翁応心刀 (Carved by Ōshin at the age of
nyoi mei Unryū Ōshin saku 天然木如意 銘雲龍 応心作 (Scepter 72)
made from natural wood, named “Dragon in Clouds,” made by With a wood tomobako storage box incribed outside Shikazunozai
Ōshin) renkon okimono 鹿角材 蓮根置物 (Stag-antler lotus-root ornament)
18 1/2in (47cm) long and signed Hinoe-inu shunjitsu Ōshin saku jinen Nanajūni-ō 丙戌春
日 応心作 時年七十二翁 (made by Ōshin in spring of 1946 at the
US$3,500 - 4,500 age of 72) with a seal Ōshin 応心
23in (58.5cm) long
Ōshin worked in Kyoto and was one of the most sought-after carvers
during the heyday of sencha from the Meiji era to the early Showa US$6,000 - 8,000
era. It is said that he moved to Kitakyushu in the 1940s and spent his
twilight years living on the charity of friends in exchange for pieces For Imai Ōshin, please refer to the footnote to the previous lot.
of his art. In characteristic style, Ōshin here intervened as little as
possible in the natural form of his chosen material, only altering it
enough to make it look like an ascending dragon.
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