Page 41 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

73 | SANKO: A SUpERB AND RARE IVORY
NETSUKE OF YAMAUBA WITh KINTOKI
By Sanko, signed Sanko 三小
Japan, Osaka, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The mountain hag adorned with horns and fangs, lending her a
demonic, yet brilliantly caricaturistic countenance. She is shown
walking at a vigorous pace, her garment folds finely flowing in the
wind, and she holds a gnarled staff in one hand and a sickle in the
other. The plump and naked Kintoki is seated on her shoulder,
facing the other way, and pulling at a rope with a dragonfly at
the end. The backside with a fine patina and good, asymmetrical
himotoshi. Signed on the inside of yamauba’s robe – SANKO – a
highly sought after Soken Kisho artist.

The abandoned son of a samurai Kintoki (also known as Kintaro)
was taken up by yamauba (literally meaning mountain witch) and Literature comparison:
grew up to be a prodigiously powerful child, cited in various legends Although they are very rare to come by, Sanko made about half a
and even fighting bears. dozen variants of this subject, none being exactly the same and
ranging in heights between 5.7 and 8.3 cm. For one example see
HEIGHT 6.5 cm Eskenazi (1993) Japanese Netsuke from the Carré collection, pp.
76-77, no. 62.
Condition: Superb condition, the ivory slightly worn with age cracks.
Good patina. Estimate EUR 25.000,-
provenance: Dr. Jay Hopkins, Lynchburg VA. Starting price EUr 12.500,-

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