Page 183 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

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A RARE WOOD NETSUKE DEPICTING KIYOHIME WITH
ANCHIN TRAPPED IN THE BELL OF DOJO-JI
Unsigned, wood netsuke
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Japan, Nagoya or Tsu, late 18 to early 19 century,
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%DO PERIOD
A fine and rare wood netsuke depicting Kiyohime as a
serpentine monster pursuing the priest Anchin in rage and
wrapping her scaly body around the temple bell in Dojo-ji,
in which Anchin is hiding. The priest Anchin fell in love with
the once beautiful Kiyohime, but refrained from his passions,
escaping from her which made Kiyohime transform into a
dragon-like monster due to her rage. In her rage she belched
a fire so great it not only melted the temple bell but also
killed Anchin.

The carving has influences from the Nagoya school, but
the ingenious design of the Tsu school, therefore a possible
candidate could be Kokei. The netsuke is exquisitely carved,
the scaly body of Kiyohime appearing like the finest Nagoya-
school dragons, and her long hair is finely incised. The
facial expression is expressive and malevolent, as she sticks
out her tongue, about to belch fire at her rejected love.
When turning the handle at the top, the aftermath of this
fire breathing is visible, as the white face seen in a cracked
section of the bell, turns into a face covered in black soot.
The bell is carved with astonishing detail as well, the surface
is painstakingly stippled. The underside with good and large 229
himotoshi. A WOOD NETSUKE OF A DRUNKEN SHOJO BY TOMIN
"Y 4OMIN WOOD NETSUKE
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HEIGHT 3.8 CM, LENGTH 4.5 CM Japan, Tsu, 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
Condition: Excellent condition Published: Katchen, N7, vol.2, p.105, no. K743.
Provenance: "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION STORED IN A BANK VAULT
for 30 years and now offered for the first time, coming A fine wood netsuke depicting a drunken Shojo in front of a
WITH TWO VALUATIONS FROM .EIL + $AVEY FROM gigantic sakazuki SAKE CUP WHICH SHE HAS EMPTIED /NE OF
collection no. 140 her distinctive attributes is her full long hair, which was crimson
and was said to contain a much sought-after dye. The drunkenly
Estimate EUR 1.500,- laughing face as well as the thick and long hair are skillfully incised.
Starting price EUR 750,- Well-rounded shape, himotoshi between the well-carved feet
and the signature TOMIN slightly hidden on her leg. Tomin was
a brilliant student of Minko from the Tsu school, and in terms of
refinement, stain and finish of the carving, certainly surpassed him.

HEIGHT 3.3 CM
Condition: Very good condition, the patina is slightly worn in some
areas
Provenance: Julius and Arlette Katchen collection
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-

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