Page 237 - Japanese Art Nov 9 2017 London

Born in Hakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, Choun moved to Tokyo in 1895 385
to study with Takamura Koun (1852-1934) and was soon participating
in international expositions from 1900 to 1910, showing mostly genre
subjects; he was also a founding member of the Nihon Chokokukai
(Japan Sculpture Association), showing at its annual exhibitions from
1908 until 1916. He was named Teishitsu Gigeiin (Artist to the Imperial
Household) in 1934. Choun’s style developed from a detailed and literal
approach to a more expressive sculptural manner; during this later
phase he frequently created maquettes in clay and then carved them
in wood which was then, as here, cast in bronze. For biographical and
exhibition details see Hirakushi Denchu Chokoku Bijutsukan (Hirakushi
Denchu Sculpture Museum), Okakura Tenshin to Nihon Chokokukai
(Okakura Tenshin and Japan Society of Sculpture), Kodaira, 2010,
pp.110–111 and Jiro Harada, ‘Japanese Art and Artists of Today IV:
Wood and Ivory Carving’, The Studio, 42 (December 1910), (103-119),
p.112. For the subject of Daruma holding a sandal, please refer to the
footnote to lot 115 in the present catalogue.

385
A BRONZE MODEL OF AN EAGLE
By Kazumasa, Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century
Constructed separately and perched with its wings partly spread,
alert and poised, ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey, its beak and
legs of gilt, signed on the underside of its tail Kazumasa within an oval
reserve; on a textured natural wood boulder fixed to a wood stand.
The hawk: 10.7cm x 20cm (4 5/16in x 7 7/8in);
the wood boulder: 27cm x 23cm (10 5/8in x 9in). (2).

£1,500 - 2,000
JPY220,000 - 300,000
US$2,000 - 2,600

386 *

A BRONZE OKIMONO OF TWO SPARROWS
ON A MORTAR AND PESTLE
By Toshimasa, Meiji era (1868-1912), Meiji era (1868-1912),
late 19th/early 20th century
Comprising one sparrow (detachable) perched on the rim of the mortar
and its mate (detachable) on the edge of the pestle resting against
one side, a bronze sprig of leaves applied in relief on the other side of
the mortar, signed on the base with chiselled characters Toshimasa
saku and signed illegibly beneath one sparrow; with a wood tomobako
inscribed on the outside Dosei usu (ni) tori okimono (Bronze okimono
of mortar and birds) and on the inside of the lid inscribed Osaka
Yodoyabashi Shobido kan (examined by Shobido in Yodoyabashi
in Osaka) with a seal. 18.5cm x 15cm (7¼in x 5 7/8in). (4).

£800 - 1,000
JPY120,000 - 150,000
US$1,100 - 1,300

386 FINE JAPANESE ART | 235
For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.