Page 90 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

170| ShOUNSAI JORYU: A FINE IVORY 172| TOMOChIKA: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF KAN’U
NETSUKE OF AN EGG-TESTER
By Tomochika, signed Tomochika 友親
By Shounsai Joryu (active 1800-1840), signed Joryu 如柳 Japan, Edo, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Japan, Edo, first half of 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The god of war Kan’u is standing proudly, stroking his long beard, and
A spirited and finely carved rendition of an egg tester, his back holding his trusty dragon-bladed halberd by his side. He has a lion mask
arched and face amusingly distorted as he concentrates on buckle and an inro is attached to his obi. The ivory is finely stained, and
inspecting the egg which he holds before his left eye, a basket of his robe is adorned with minutely incised patterns, both in the typical
further eggs is strapped to his shoulder. The man, who appears like manner of the artist. The artist is from the Tomochika school and
an islander with long curling hair, is dressed only in a loincloth, but considering the functional himotoshi, overall compactness and superior
is wearing boots – an unusual combination, but an attribute all the level of carving, this is likely from either Chikuyosai Tomochika I or II.
egg testers seem to share. The ivory has a lustrous stain and feels Signed in the typical wavy reserve TOMOCHIKA.
smooth to the touch. Signed to the back JOryU next to the angled,
asymmetrical himotoshi. HEIGHT 6 cm
HEIGHT 5.5 cm Condition: The very top of the halberd is chipped. Otherwise fine
condition.
Condition: Very good condition. One foot has been re-attached. Provenance: French private collection.
Provenance: Belgian private collection.
Auction comparison:
Literature comparison: A similar netsuke depicting Kan’U and Chohi by Tomochika (note that
Though several variants of this subject by Shounsai Joryu exist, they Kan’U has the same inro tied to his obi) was sold by Zacke, Japanische
are usually made from wood with an ivory egg, the only other one Netsuke - Ausstellung 1990, Vienna, no. 108.
from ivory being in the Leiden Museum accession no. rV-2101-1.
Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Estimate EUR 2.500,- Starting price EUr 600,-
Starting price EUr 1.250,-

173| AN IVORY
NETSUKE OF
AShINAGA
AND TENAGA
171| RYUEI: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF ThE ROKKASEN ATTRIBUTED TO
TOMOChIKA
By ryuei, signed ryuei 龍榮
Japan, Edo, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Attributed to Tomochika,
unsigned
Japan, Edo/Tokyo, second half of
Depicting the rokkasen, the six great poets of the early Heian 19th century
period – Otomo no Kuronushi, Ono no Komachi, Ariwara no
Narihira, Kisen Hoshi, Sojo Henjo and Fun’ya no yasuhide – all
seated or standing side by side, arranged in a circle. The ivory is A large, finely stained ivory
finely stained, and the details are rendered very well including netsuke depicting the two
fine markings to the clothes. Himotoshi and signature ryUEI legendary fishermen from the
underneath. The carver comes from a line of carvers from ryukei Kyushu islands. The symbiotic
of Edo. pair is performing an acrobat
feat, as Tenaga (long arms)
HEIGHT 3.2 cm hangs from Ashinaga’s (long
legs) shoulders, grasping at the
Condition: Good condition with minimal surface wear. latter’s ankles. The placement
Provenance: French private collection of Tenaga’s head between
Ashinaga’s legs is quite amusing.
Literature comparison: Natural himotoshi. Attributed to
Compare to two similar netsuke by ryuei in Meinertzhagen, the Tomochika school.
Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, pp. 667-668.
HEIGHT 8.4 cm
Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUr 600,- Condition: Good, undamaged
condition with slightly worn
features and age cracks.
Provenance: British private
collection.
Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUr 1.000,-

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