Page 222 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

268 | RYUMIN AND TENMIN:
A RARE MIXED METAL KAGAMIBUTA
OF EMMA-O AND COURTESAN
By Serizawa Ryumin (born ca. 1836) and Shojo Tenmin
(ca. 1799 – 1874), The kagamibuta signed Ryumin and kakihan,
and the silver inlay signed Tenmin O and kakihan
Japan, Tokyo, second half of 19th century

Set in an ivory bowl and fitted with a shibuichi plate inlaid with
Emma-o (the king of hell) mischievously laughing, and looking and
pointing at a courtesan’s reflection in the mirror of hell. The details
are inlaid in copper, silver and gold. The depiction is quite amusing,
as it is poking fun at the king of hell for his guilty pleasures. The
mirror of hell is inlaid in silver and finely incised with the image
of the courtesan, and signed TENMIN ĐΦ o (in his old age) with
kakihan. The shibuichi plate is signed RYUMIN ӐΦ with kakihan.
Central himotoshi in the backside and cord attachment through the
back of the plate.
DIAMETER 5 cm
Condition: Very good condition, the ivory plate slightly worn.
Provenance: Hungarian collection.
A rare collaboration between two metalwork artists, master and
pupil. Tenmin, founder of an important kagamibuta school with
many students, collaborating in his old age with an accomplished
pupil.

Auction comparison: A similar example was sold at Bonhams, The
Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part I, 9 November
2010, London, lot 154.
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-

267 | MOTOHARU: A SUPERB KAGAMIBUTA
OF A SMOKING BIJIN
By Fujita Motoharu (born 1796), signed Motoharu with kakihan Set in a superbly finished, shimmering ivory bowl and fitted with
Japan, Hitachi province, second half of 19th century a shibuichi plate depicting a seated Bijin holding a long pipe,
with a large mokugyo at her feet and a hossu (Buddhist fly whisk) 269 | A RARE AND LARGE MIXED
Published: Lazarnick, George, Netsuke and Inro Artists, Honolulu below her. Above her in gold kinzogan is a senryu (satirical poem METAL AND LACQUER
1982, p. 803. of the masses) meaning more or less, “Literally, people lose their MANJU NETSUKE
sense in the presence of the skin that covers the bones”. Basically,
meaning that people are blinded by good looks or sexuality. The Unsigned
details are inlaid with copper and an abundance of rich gold, Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)
including the kakihan, which is found to the right above the rare
signature MOTOHARU ʻԛ. Central himotoshi in the back and cord
attachment through the back of the shibuichi plate. A very unusual and rare netsuke - rather large, heavy and of
elongated manju shape. Set in a shimmering roiro-nuri black
DIAMETER 4.5 cm lacquered wood bowl, with one further elevated surface of copper
and inset with a mixed metal plaque consisting of shakudo, silver
Condition: Excellent condition. and gold and depicting the lucky god Hotei inside his treasure bag.
Provenance: European collection. The reverse with a silvered-brass cord attachment above a stylized
floral mon.
Fujita Motoharu was a metalwork artist of the Mito school and
student of Taizan Motozane. LENGTH 6 cm

Auction comparison: For a kozuka by the artist showing a related Condition: Some scratches to the rim of the black lacquered bowl.
subject see Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Generally, in very good condition.
Japanese Art Part I, 9 November 2010, London, lot 50. Provenance: Hungarian collection.
Estimate EUR 2.000,- Estimate EUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.000,- Starting price EUR 500,-

218 219