Page 198 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke

181 | AN IVORY OKIMONO OF ASHINAGA
AND TENAGA FISHING

Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Ashinaga and Tenaga are a pair of yokai from the Kyushu islands,
Ashinaga with extremely long legs and Tenaga with extremely
long arms, working together as fishermen. This okimono depicts
Ashinaga standing on the wood base in the form of a rocky outpost
and carrying Tenaga on his back, who is using his long arms to grab
a fish and a tako (octopus) with its tentacles around Tenaga’s legs.
Ashinaga’s expression is full of horror, perhaps he has noticed the
two octopi escaping from their basket, which would make their
current struggle only harder. Tenaga is carrying a cord around his
back with three fish, one of them a dragonfish, attached to it. The
two yokai, the large fish to the bottom, and the dragonfish with eyes
inlaid in dark horn.
HEIGHT 21.6 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with only few minor traces of wear.
Provenance: British collection.
Estimate EUR 1,500
Starting price EUR 750

182 | MUNEYUKI: AN AMUSING
IVORY OKIMONO OF GAMA
SENNIN AND TOADS
By Muneyuki, signed Muneyuki
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

The immortal deftly carved and finely stained, standing on a flat
oval base incised with leaf decorations, wearing his characteristic
leaf skirt over a long flowing robe opening at the chest and neatly
incised with foliate patterns, one of his feet is raised as he is about
to step on a toad, an empty scroll between the toad and his other
foot. In one of his hands he is holding two small toads that are
wrestling, while in his other hand he is holding the front leg of a
giant toad on top his head, a smaller toad with a lotus leaf inset on
top of the larger toad. Signed MUNEYUKI to the base.
Gama Sennin was one of the three Daoist Immortals, who were also
known as shape shifters, travelling through time and the elements,
obeying the Dao universal laws, not human laws. Gama sennin was
known to be a master of inner alchemy and is sometimes included
with the Eight Immortals of Dao. His toad was considered a spirit
animal, which many immortals had as companions, representing
longevity and wealth.
HEIGHT 21.3 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with only few minor traces of wear.
Provenance: British collection.

Estimate EUR 2,000
Starting price EUR 1,000

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