Page 211 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

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A FINE AND RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ONI
TRAPPING SHOKI BY KANO TOMOKAZU
"Y 4OMOKAZU WOOD NETSUKE WITH INLAYS
*APAN 'IFU TH CENTURY %DO PERIOD

A dramatic scene showing a muscular oni trapping
the famous demon hunter Shoki in a basket. The
clawed demon dressed in a loin cloth is on top of
the large basket and turning the netsuke reveals
the grim demon queller crammed into the small
basket. His eyes and the buttons on his garment
are inlaid in ivory and the hilt of his sword and his
pupils are inlaid in black horn. A striking detail is
that the sword actually perforates through the
basket to the other side. The oni’s facial expression
is quite amusing, menacing but also signifying
his satisfaction, having finally captured the great
Shoki, who looks helpless on the other side. Natural
himotoshi between Shoki’s legs, signed TOMOKAZU
in a rounded reserve. The artist Kano Tomokazu
originated from Gifu.
HEIGHT 3 CM, LENGTH 3.9 CM

Condition: Excellent condition
Provenance: The 40-Year Collection of a London
Gentleman

Auction comparison: Compare to an almost identical
netsuke by Tomokazu sold at Quinn’s Auction
Galleries, The Mang Collection of Japanese Art, Falls
#HURCH $ECEMBER LOT
Literature comparison: Another similar model by
the artist is illustrated with a line drawing in The
Meinertzhagen Card Index on Netsuke in the
!RCHIVES OF THE "RITISH -USEUM 0ART " &REDERICK
-EINERTZHAGEN EDITED BY 'EORGE ,AZARNICK .EW
York, 1986, page 901
Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.000,-

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