Page 80 - Bonhams Auction NYC Japanese and Korean Art March 15, 2017

6164 6169
GYOKKO MASANAO
A wood netsuke of Sato Tadanobu A wood netsuke of a toad
Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century Edo period (1615-1868), or Meiji era (1868-1912), mid-late 19th
The warrior shown holding aloft a go board with which he defends century
himself from his attackers, signed Gyokko Carved as a crouching toad, the surface finished and stained to
2 1/4in (5.7cm) high resemble the bumpy skin of the amphibian, signed in a polished
reserve Masanao
US$1,200 - 1,800 2in (5.1cm) long

Sato Tadanobu (1161-1186) was a retainer of Minamoto no Yoshitsune US$1,200 - 1,800
(1159-1189). He is commonly known and Goban (Go board) Tadanobu
after the story surrounding his death. Attacked while engaged in a 6170
game of Go, he picked up the heavy game board to defend himself, ANONYMOUS, YAMADA SCHOOL
repelling his would-be assasins. He later committed suicide. A wood netsuke of a toad
Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century
6165 Perched on a discarded straw sandal, the eyes inlaid in dark horn
TOMAN 1 5/8in (4.2cm) wide
A wood netsuke of Kan'u
Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century US$1,000 - 1,500
The Chinese God of War shown leaning on his halberd dressed in
armor and flowing robes, signed Toman 6171
2 3/8in (6cm) high ANONYMOUS
A wood mask netsuke
US$3,000 - 5,000 Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century
Carved as a mask of the demon-woman Hannya
Provenance 1 11/16in (4.2cm) high
Mary Louise O'Brien collection
US$500 - 700
6166
KOKUZAN 6172
A wood netsuke of Ashinaga and Tenaga AFTER NAITO TOYOMASA
Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century A wood netsuke of an emaciated dog
The two figures shown working in tandem to play a large drum, signed Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century
Kokuzan The animal shown seated with its left front paw raised and its mouth
1 1/2in (2.8cm) high agape, the ribs prominently shown, the eyes inlaid in bone and dark
horn, inscribed Toyomasa in a rectangular polished reserve on the
US$800 - 1,200 underside of the tail
1 1/2in (3.8cm) wide
6167
SUGUNOYA SHOKO US$1,500 - 2,500
A wood netsuke of Benkei and Yoshitune
Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century 6173
Carved as Benkei bending down to retrieve Yoshitsune's geta (wooden ANONYMOUS
clog) after his defeat by the youth at Gojo Bridge, the eyes inlaid in A wood netsuke of Shoki
dark horn, signed Shoko Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century
1 5/8in (4.2cm) wide The demon hunter shown looking over the edge of a stump, sword in
hand, looking for an oni who peers out from a cavernous hideout
US$3,000 - 5,000 1 1/2in (3.8cm) wide

Published US$1,000 - 1,500
Bernard Hurtig, Masterpiees of Netsuke Art, New York, Weatherhill,
1973, no. 369, pg. 100. 6174
Provenance SANMAI
Elaine Hazu collection A wood netsuke of a shishi (Chinese lion)
20th century
6168 The compact figure seated with feet close together and boldly carved
MASANAO OF YAMADA with open mouth and flowing mane, signed on the underside Sanmai
A wood netsuke of a coiled rat 1 5/8in (4.2cm) wide
Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century
The rodent shown in the typical pose for the subject with one paw at US$800 - 1,200
the ear and one on the snout, the tail wrapped tightly around the body,
eyes inlaid in dark horn, signed Masanao in a polished reserve 6175
1 1/2in (3.7cm) wide KAWARA AKIHIDE (BORN 1934)
A boxwood netsuke of a snail and a longhorn beetle
US$1,500 - 2,500 20th century
The insect confronting the snail as it emerges from its shell, the
beetle's wings inlaid in dark horn, signed Akihide
1 5/8in (4.2cm) wide

US$1,500 - 2,500

Provenance
With Bernard Hurtig, June 29, 1979

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