Page 211 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke

202 | SHIGEYASU: AN IVORY
OKIMONO OF THE OIL
THIEF ABURA BOZU
REPAIRING HIS GETA
Signed Shigeyasu
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

In the legend of the oil thief, one night
during a severe storm the emperor
Shirakawa sees a demon in the forest
with a spiked head and sends Taira no
Tadamori to confront this mysterious
creature. In fact, it was simply a temple
servant who had gotten into the habit of
stealing from oil lamps. In this netsuke,
Abura Bozu is shown standing on one geta,
wearing a thatched sun hat on his head
and repairing his broken geta, screaming in
agony – although the expression could be
mistaken as quite monstrous. The oil lamp
he has dropped lies by his feet, the spilled
liquid forming the base of this okimono.
Signed SHIGEYASU to the underside of the
garment.
HEIGHT 11 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with only few
minor traces of wear.
Provenance: British collection. Old collector
number to the underside of the oil thief’s
garment, old collector labels to the base.
Estimate EUR 1,500
Starting price EUR 750

203 | SEIYO: AN IVORY
OKIMONO OF A
CARPENTER AT WORK

By Owada Seiyo, signed Seiyo
Japan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912)

The carpenter seated on a finely incised
straw mat sawing a block of wood with a
large hand saw, his expression conveying
a sense of accomplishment, a tool box
beside him, various tools in front of him
on the mat, and one blade on the box.
The carpenter’s flowing robe is decorated
with neatly incised patterns. Signed SEIYO
within a red-lacquered rectangular reserve
on the underside.

Owada Seiyo was a member of the ivory
group of the Tokyo Chokokai (Tokyo
Carvers’ Association) between Meiji 37 and
39 (1904-1907), and is listed in History of
Japanese Ivory Carving, Shoto Museum,
Tokyo, 1996.
HEIGHT 4.5 cm

Condition: Excellent condition with only few
minor traces of wear.
Provenance: British collection.
Estimate EUR 800
Starting price EUR 400

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