Page 53 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

57 | SHUNGETSU: IVORY NETSUKE OF A TANUKI
SUFFOCATING A HUNTER WITH HIS SCROTUM

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Japan, Tokyo, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)

A well-carved, finely stained and compact ivory netsuke of a tanuki
suffocating a hunter with his gigantic scrotum. Tanuki are known to
have magical powers and are mischievous creatures. Though not
always dangerous, they are especially hostile to hunters, as they
beguile them by drumming on their bellies, subsequently crushing
them with their enlarged testicles. The tanuki has well-carved fur
and a smoothly polished scrotum with sparsely incised hair. The
hunter is quite helpless and squirming in agony. Small himotoshi
and signature SHUNGETSU ԛʃ on the underside.
HEIGHT 3.3 cm, LENGTH 4 cm

Condition: Very good condition.
Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection.
Shungetsu, active in the early Meiji period, was born in 1841 and
was a pupil of Shunkosai Chogetsu.
56 | TOMOMASA: AN AMUSING
WOOD NETSUKE OF A TANUKI Estimate EUR 1.200,-
WITH GIANT SCROTUM Starting price EUR 600,-
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Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
58 | A RARE WOOD ‘DOUBLE SHUNGA’
NETSUKE OF A MOTHER AND CHILD
The tanuki is a magical shapeshifting creature which Unsigned
resembles a raccoon dog. Here he is shown with Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
distinct human features, such as his human arms and
legs and the loincloth and headband he is wearing.
The tanuki is struggling to hold up his gigantic wrinkly A highly suggestive and early shunga netsuke carved as a mother,
scrotum, which is pressed onto his face. According to with chubby cheeks and a high forehead like Okame, holding up her
legend, this creature utilized its distended scrotum son, revealing his genitals. The underside further reveals her female
to suffocate hunters, as seen in catalog no. 57. The genitals. A rare and rustic ‘double shunga’ netsuke. Good patina
wood of a very good tone with a fine natural patina and cleverly placed himotoshi in the back.
and the eyes of the tanuki are inlaid in dark horn.
Good himotoshi through the tanuki’s behind and HEIGHT 6.4 cm
abbreviated signature on the side of the loincloth
TOMOMASA ƤȢ.
Condition: Good condition with an appealing patina. One tiny chip
to the side of the boy’s genitals.
HEIGHT 5.2 cm
Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection.
Condition: Very good condition with appealing patina Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection.
Starting price EUR 600,-
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-

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