Page 116 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

234 | MITSUYUKI: A SUpERB AND RARE IVORY MASK
NETSUKE OF ThE FEMALE GhOST OIWA
By Mitsuyuki, signed Mitsuyuki 光之
Japan, second half of 19th century

published: Bushell, raymond (1985) Netsuke Masks, p. 63, no. 261.
Bushell, raymond Netsuke (1975) Familiar & Unfamiliar, p. 145, no.
307.
Bulletin Franco Japonais, no. 143, Masques Extraordinaires, January
2020, p. 20, no. 33.

Finely carved and stained to depict the female ghost Oiwa
recognizable by her drooping and bloody eye, her stray hairs which
are falling out and the loose teeth, all effects from the poisoning
by her husband Tamiya Iemon. She has a hemorrhage above her
eye simulated by fine stippling and the visible eye is double-inlaid
in mother-of-pearl and dark horn. The backside with himotoshi and
signature MITSUyUKI.
HEIGHT 4.1 cm Literature comparison:
For another mask netsuke by Mitsuyuki of Oiwa, though in wood,
Condition: Excellent condition. see Sagemonoya, Aji, Umami or Daigomi, 2017, no. 91.
provenance: Ex Collection raymond Bushell sold in his sale
at Sotheby’s London, 21 March 2000, lot 305. Then purchased AUCTION COMpARISON
from rosemary Bandini during the Miami Kappa Convention Mitsuyuki was known for his extremely
(International Netsuke Collector’s Convention) 2007 by European fine ivory mask netsuke, for another
collector P. Jacquesson.
depicting a more common subject
see Bonhams, The Bluette H. Kirchoff
Oiwa died in 1636 and even today it is believed that she haunts the Collection of Netsuke and Sagemono,
place of her death as well as anyone who performs her story which 16 September 2009, New york, lot 2133
was adapted into the famous kabuki play Tokaido yotsuya Kaidan (sold for 2.318 USD).
(Ghost story of yotsuya in Tokaido) in 1825. The story is a tale of
betrayal, murder and ghostly revenge which features Tamiya Iemon
who poisoned his loving wife Oiwa, who in turn haunted him and Estimate EUR 5.000,-
drove him mad. Starting price EUr 2.500,-

233 | A SpECTACULAR AND LARGE WOOD
MASK NETSUKE OF A FEMALE DEMON

Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

An exceptional and large mask depicting a menacing female
demon. The mask is most likely a Hannya mask, certainly appearing
more ferocious than usual, though there is still a semblance of
melancholy in her eyes, and particularly in the way the eyebrows
are formed. The wood is of a very good patina, accentuated in
some areas for effect, and the carving is masterfully expressive.
The female demon has its mouth opened wide showing the many
teeth and four fangs. Her nose and cheek bones are pronounced,
she has two curved horns and her hair is finely flowing to the side.
Himotoshi behind the central bridge in the back formed by a finely
carved rope with tassels, which is used in the Noh performances to
tie the mask around the actor’s head.
HEIGHT 8 cm
Condition: Excellent condition, beautiful patina.
provenance: Ex collection Dr. Walter Heihs, sold in his sale at
Sotheby’s, 17 June, 1998, lot 563, purchased by the European
collector P. Jacquesson.
Estimate EUR 6.000,-
Starting price EUr 3.000,-

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