Page 69 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke

56 | HOYUSAI NAOTSUNE: A MASTERFUL
GOTO SCHOOL KOZUKA WITH
TIGER AND BAMBOO

By Hoyusai Naotsune, signed Hoyusai Naotsune and kao
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The kozuka with a masterful shakudo nanakoji ground
and inlaid in solid gold with a magnificent tiger amongst
bamboo (take ni tora), the stalks crafted from shakudo.
Signed to the reverse HOYUSAI NAOTSUNE and kao. The
imagery is symbolic for resilience and strength.
LENGTH 9.7 cm
WEIGHT 26 g

Condition: Superb condition.
Provenance: British collection, acquired from Sotheby’s,
Japanese and Korean Works of Art, 14 July 2005, London,
lot 919 (part lot, purchased for 5.040 GBP).
The motif take no tora (tiger in bamboo) is a symbol for
strength and resilience, embodying the spirit of the samurai
warrior. The tiger has a strong nature, is flexible and
resilient like the bamboo, but it is also said that the strong
tiger is looking for shelter underneath the bamboo, as any
earthly power is inferior to the forces of nature. Moreover,
the tiger and bamboo represent the power of faith in
Buddhism.
Estimate EUR 3,000
Starting price EUR 1,500

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