Page 153 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke

146 | A MASSIVE AND FINELY CARVED
WOOD PANEL WITH SHISHI AND CUB

Signed Horimonoshi Yamamoto Kanjiro Yasutomo with kakihan and
Kenbyo isshiki, daiku Konishi Matayoshiei Toyomasa with kakihan
Japan, 19th century

The massive wood panel carved in high relief with an imposing
adult shishi, its flowing mane and bushy tail finely carved, and with
its tongue sticking out as it encourages its young cub to cross
a stream, the young cub’s expression amusingly reluctant. This
subject is known as toranoko watashi. A large waterfall crashes
down behind the adult shishi and peony blossoms and leaves are
are finely carved below.
Signed by two artists (carpenter and carver) in the reverse - daiku
Konishi Matayoshiei TOYOMASA with kakihan [a carved screen,
carpenter Konishi Matayoshihei Toyomasa] and Horimonoshi
Yamamoto Kanjiro YASUTOMO with kakihan [Carver Yamamoto
Kanjiro Yasutomo].
SIZE 97 x 86.5 cm
Condition: Good condition. Some age cracks, the tail of the shishi
cub partially chipped, two chips to the peony flower in the bottom
left and a small section of the adult shishi’s tail re-attached.
Provenance: French private collection.
Estimate EUR 8,000
Starting price EUR 4,000

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