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A RARE LACQUERED WOOD 'INKCAKE AND BRUSH' YATATEUnsignedJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)The yatate of ladle type, the fudezutsu (brush holder) with slightly curved handle, terminating in a sumitsubo (inkwell) with a hinged cover, the inkwell lined with a metal ring. The wood of a rich dark color, decorated with takamaki-e lacquer in gold, black and brown, depicting an ink cake and brush surrounded by imprints of chicken feet. The ink cake inscribed Kinshi.LENGTH 19 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear, fine polish.Provenance: The Strong National Museum of Play, accession number 78.1483 (lacquered to the base of the inkwell). Margaret Woodbury Strong (1897-1969) grew up in a prosperous family of collectors. Her interests ranged so widely that by 1960 she had amassed more than 27,000 collectible items and works of art. The vast majority of her collections related in some way to play and as her accumulation grew, Margaret planned a museum to house her collection. It eventually opened to the public in 1982, and grew dramatically over the following decades, expanding its collections, facilities, and resources, now spanning over 285,000 square feet. Today, the Strong National Museum of Play (known as just The Strong Museum or simply The Strong) is the only collections-based museum in the world devoted solely to the study of play.

TOMOTADA: A RARE AND IMPORTANT IVORY NETSUKE OF GAMA SENNIN WITH HIS TOADBy Tomotada, signed Tomotada 友忠Japan, Kyoto, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Hurtig, Bernard (1973) Masterpieces of Netsuke Art: One Thousand Favorites of Leading Collectors, p. 150, no. 604.Davey, Neil K. (1974) Netsuke: A comprehensive study based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, p. 376, no. 1129.Hurtig, Bernhard (1975) What's New at the Auctions, INCS Journal Vol. 4, No. 2, p. 43, lot 140.Hurtig, Bernhard (1980) What's New at the Auctions, INCS Journal Vol. 8, No. 1, p. 11, lot 14.Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 912.Superbly and sensitively carved, more naturalistic and less angular than many of this carver's contemporaries in Kyoto, depicting a youthful Gama Sennin seated in a relaxed pose and holding his three-legged toad in one hand, the toad touching his rotund belly, the underside well carved and with one generously excavated himotoshi, the other himotoshi to the lower back next to the signature TOMOTADA within a rectangular reserve.The sennin wearing a loose-fitting robe with finely incised patterned hem and foliate designs as well as neatly rendered folds, and adorned with the characteristic leafy skirt and apron, his hair elegantly falling in strands over the back and shoulders, his face with a cheerful expression, the eyes inlaid with dark horn, the mouth agape, the toad with subtly stippled skin.LENGTH 4.3 cm, HEIGHT 4.4 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear, expected minor age cracks. Fine, smooth, warm patina.Provenance: Ex-collection J. A. Fairley. Ex-collection Mark T. Hindson. Sotheby's, 25 November 1969, London, lot 756. Ex-collection Martin S. Newstead, acquired from the above. Sotheby's, 18 November 1974, London, lot 140 (sold for 2,900 GBP). Sotheby's, 29 May 1980, London, lot 14 (sold for 7,805 GBP). Van Ham, Asiatische Kunst, 7 December 2017, Cologne, lot 2246 (sold for 10,965 EUR).Mentioned in the Soken Kisho, Tomotada is perhaps the most renowned and certainly the most copied of all netsuke artists. His models were chiefly animal subjects and depictions of human or legendary figures are rare. The Soken Kisho notes that he carved oxen and that his work was copied in his own lifetime. In his card index, Meinertzhagen wrote of this piece, “An original example of this celebrated master's work. The signature is in harmony and is characteristic. The piece can be confidently accepted as genuine by this master.”Additional Note: It has been suggested that this netsuke should be attributed to Yamaguchi Okatomo, the star pupil of Tomotada. The present lot compares favorably to an ivory netsuke of a shaggy dog, sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 2 November 2019, Vienna, lot 144 (sold for 15,168 EUR). Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0248).This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

HACHIGYOKU: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A SCULPTOR WITH NIO STATUEBy Hachigyoku, signed Hachigyoku 八玉Japan, Edo (Tokyo), 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Boldly carved as a muscular Nio statue with one arm raised holding a thunderbolt scepter, the mouth opened with a fierce expression, the details well carved and accentuated with dark staining. When turning the netsuke, a sculptor is revealed laying across the temple guardian's body, one knee raised and armed with a hammer and chisel, the facial expression amusingly distorted as he considers his task. When examining the Nio closely, many details remain unfinished, such as the celestial scarves and the entire backside which remains flattened. Furthermore, the carver (Hachigyoku) utilizes a clever visual effect – when the netsuke is standing, the sculptor looks like part of the Nio's body. Large, generously excavated himotoshi underneath and signed HACHIGYOKU. The wood bearing a superb, unctuous patina.HEIGHT 6.3 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear. Beautiful, dark patina.Provenance: Belgian private collection.According to Ueda Reikichi, Hachigyoku was born in Edo and was a mask carver, making netsuke as a hobby, which explains his extremely limited output, with only very few examples recorded in literature. Stylistically, he appears to be close to the early Edo carvers such as Gessho and Shugetsu.Literature comparison:For another netsuke by this rare artist, depicting a human-headed snake, see Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures, vol. I, p. 435.

KOKUSAI: A SUPERB AND RARE STAG ANTLER YATATE (PORTABLE WRITING SET) WITH DRAGON AND SHISHI MOTIFBy Ozaki Kokusai (1835-1892), signed Koku 谷Japan, Shiba, Tokyo, c. 1860-1880Carved from a thick branch of antler, much of the natural orientation and curvature retained, the design worked in high relief within a lobed reserve depicting a sinuous long-nosed dragon grasping a tama (jewel) in its claws, its body with flaming limbs curling around to the other side, encircling and confronting a snarling Buddhist lion, the dragon's bifurcated tail opening to reveal a feathered fan, all against a neatly engraved cloud design. The cord attachment is found within the signature KOKU carved in sunken relief, which is presented as a rare variant written as a running hand script smiley-face design. The top section houses a kamakiri (knife for cutting paper) with stag antler handle and the copper handle of a brush in the form of a reishi fungus.LENGTH (total) 22 cmCondition: Very good condition with natural flaws to the material and few fine age cracks.Provenance: Formerly the property of the Strong Museum, donated by Margaret Woodbury Strong (1897-1969), a prolific collector and founder and namesake of the museum. Accession no. '75.5404' written in black to the side. Literature comparison:This rare signature variant is recorded on two pipecases by Kokusai in Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (2016) Kokusai the Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. II, nos. 287 & 288.

MITSUYUKI: A SUPERB AND RARE IVORY MASK NETSUKE OF THE FEMALE GHOST OIWABy Mitsuyuki, signed Mitsuyuki 光之Japan, second half of 19th centuryPublished:Bushell, Raymond (1985) Netsuke Masks, p. 63, no. 261.Bushell, Raymond Netsuke (1975) Familiar & Unfamiliar, p. 145, no. 307.Bulletin Franco Japonais, no. 143, Masques Extraordinaires, January 2020, p. 20, no. 33.Finely carved and stained to depict the female ghost Oiwa, recognizable by her drooping and bloody eye, her stray hairs which are falling out and the loose teeth, all effects of the poisoning by her husband Tamiya Iemon. She has a hemorrhage above her eye simulated by fine stippling and the visible eye is double-inlaid in mother-of-pearl and dark horn. The backside with himotoshi and signature MITSUYUKI.HEIGHT 4.1 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: Ex-collection Raymond Bushell sold in his sale at Sotheby's London, 21 March 2000, lot 305. Then purchased from Rosemary Bandini during the Miami Kappa Convention (International Netsuke Collector's Convention) in 2007 by European collector P. Jacquesson.Oiwa died in 1636 and even today it is believed that she haunts the place of her death as well as anyone who performs her story which was adapted into the famous kabuki play Tokaido Yotsuya Kaidan (Ghost story of Yotsuya in Tokaido) in 1825. The story is a tale of betrayal, murder and ghostly revenge which features Tamiya Iemon who poisoned his loving wife Oiwa, who in turn haunted him and drove him mad.Literature comparison:For another mask netsuke by Mitsuyuki of Oiwa, though in wood, see Sagemonoya, Aji, Umami or Daigomi, 2017, no. 91.Auction comparison:Mitsuyuki was known for his extremely fine ivory mask netsuke, for another depicting a more common subject see Bonhams, The Bluette H. Kirchoff Collection of Netsuke and Sagemono, 16 September 2009, New York, lot 2133 (sold for 2,318 USD).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0521). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

TOMOKAZU: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF FIVE SNAILSBy Kano Tomokazu, signed Tomokazu 友一Japan, Gifu or Nagoya, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Accurately observed from nature and finely carved, the surface beautifully worn, a large snail emerging from its shell, its fleshy body folded back over the top for compactness, a smaller snail crawling across its shell and three further smaller snails following suit, curling around underneath. The details are finely incised, though heavily worn, the wood bearing a stunning, deep patina. The foot of the largest snail curls underneath forming the 'natural' himotoshi. Signed within a raised reserve TOMOKAZU – likely an early work by the artist and clearly loved by several generations.LENGTH 5 cmCondition: Good, heavily worn condition. Some nicks and surface scratches here and there, as is to be expected.Provenance: French private collection.Auction comparison:Compare to a related wood netsuke of a snail emerging from its shell, by Tomokazu, sold by Bonhams, Netsuke from a European Private Collection, 8 May 2016, London, lot 62 (sold for 6,875 GBP).

ITTAN: A RARE WOOD SHUNGA MASK NETSUKE OF HYOTTOKOBy Ittan, signed Ittan 一旦 and kakihanJapan, Nagoya, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Sagemonoya, Shunga Netsuke, no. 14.A cleverly designed shunga netsuke depicting a Hyottoko mask with deeply carved and wonderfully expressive features, especially the twisted phallically-shaped mouth, the sides carved to look like the seam of a nutshell. The reverse reveals the shunga element, again carved to look like the surface of a nut, but one cannot help but notice that Ittan intended to mimic the female genitalia. In the center is the exit of the himotoshi, the entrance located to the side. The well-toned wood bearing a beautiful patina. Signed ITTAN and kakihan to one side under the himotoshi.HEIGHT 3.6 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and a superb patina.Provenance: British private collection, purchased from Sagemonoya, Tokyo.This appears to be the only mask netsuke recorded by this celebrated Nagoya carver.

A RARE TSUISHU LACQUER NETSUKE WITH PEONYUnsignedJapan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The egg-shaped netsuke lacquered in tsuishu (carved red lacquer), finely incised with stems issuing from the himotoshi, with peony blossoms, leaves, and buds, all against a finely incised asanoha ground. Large, asymmetrical himotoshi.LENGTH 4.1 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor smoothened chips at the himotoshi. Fine, smooth polish.Provenance: European collection.Auction comparison:Compare a related tsuishu manju netsuke with kiku blossoms, early 19th century, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 27 March 2020, Vienna, lot 242 (sold for 2,400 EUR).

A RARE LACQUERED COCONUT WOOD TONKOTSU WITH CROWS AND FULL MOONUnsignedJapan, 19th centuryOf rounded rectangular form, the front very finely lacquered in takamaki-e with two crows descending against a silver full moon, the reverse with one crow in flight, the eyes in gilt, all against an elaborate sabiji-nuri (iron imitation) ground. With a blue glass ojime.HEIGHT 6.5 cmCondition: Good condition, minor wear, natural age cracks.Provenance: The Strong National Museum of Play, accession number 75.5341 (lacquered to base of the inner rim of the tonkotsu). Margaret Woodbury Strong (1897-1969) grew up in a prosperous family of collectors. Her interests ranged so widely that by 1960 she had amassed more than 27,000 collectible items and works of art. The vast majority of her collections related in some way to play and as her accumulation grew, Margaret planned a museum to house her collection. It eventually opened to the public in 1982, and grew dramatically over the following decades, expanding its collections, facilities, and resources, now spanning over 285,000 square feet. Today, the Strong National Museum of Play (known as just The Strong Museum or simply The Strong) is the only collections-based museum in the world devoted solely to the study of play.

HOSEN: A FINE AND RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A NINGYO (MERMAID) NURSING HER CHILDBy Hosen, signed Hosen 芳仙Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Bandini, Rosemary (2013) In a Nutshell, A Loan Exhibition of Japanese Netsuke from European Collections, p. 58, no. 106.Depicting a reclining ningyo with finely incised long hair, gently smiling, and caressing her young against her breast with both hands, her long tail curling around and providing further support for her young, which grabs the mother's right breast, pulling it towards its mouth. Note the superbly carved scales and facial expressions. Signed underneath HOSEN, the natural himotoshi formed by the young's tail fin. The lightly stained wood bearing a fine patina.LENGTH 4.2 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor associated surface wear and some light surface scratches.Provenance: Ex-collection Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt.Ningyo are half-human, half-fish sea creatures that equate with the mermaid of Western traditions. Most likely inspired by the sighting of dugongs in the ocean, folklore transforms them into alluring females, usually depicted cradling a baby to their naked breasts as in the present example, or holding a tama, the sacred jewel of the dragon king of the sea.

MORIKAWA TOEN: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF RANRYO-O BUGAKU MASKBy Morikawa Toen (1820-1894), signed Ranryo-o Toen 杜園Japan, Nara, second half of 19th centuryThe bugaku mask carved in the ittobori (single cut) technique, portrayed in a typical manner with suspended jaw, prominent nose, large eyes, the long bushy beard curling around to the other side, and surmounted by an elaborate dragon headdress with fierce expression. Himotoshi through the central bar in the back and inscribed “Ranryo-o” 蘭陵王 and signed TOEN.HEIGHT 6 cmCondition: Excellent condition, minor surface wear.Provenance: European collection P. Jacquesson.Morikawa Toen was known for his Nara ningyo (dolls) sculptures and as a noh actor. His work was admired by the Daimyo of Tosa, the magistrate of Nara, who awarded him with names from Japanese mythology. The Imperial household also became his patrons. He received many prizes throughout his career and was later commissioned by the newly founded Tokyo Imperial Museum to make copies of ancient works of art. One of the four most handsome men in Chinese history, Prince Ranryo (in Chinese, Lanling) wore a fearsome mask to hide his face when he led his troops into battle. The dance created by his followers in honor of their brave commander was later introduced to Japan and is thought to have become part of the classical bugaku repertoire by the second half of the eighth century.

RANTEI: A VERY RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF KADORI MYOJIN WITH NAMAZUBy Hogen Rantei, signed Rantei 蘭亭 Japan, Kyoto, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) A large and compact netsuke depicting Kadori Myojin clambering atop a namazu trying to calm its movements by pressing down its head with a hyotan (double gourd), wearing only a fundoshi (loincloth), the man's legs wide apart, his muscular body finely outlined, their eyes inlaid. Generously excavated himotoshi underneath, signed in the typical manner of the artist in sosho (cursive script) RANTEI. LENGTH 6 cm Condition: Very good condition, minor surface wear, a minuscule chip to one gill. Provenance: European collection. Wood netsuke by Rantei, who earned the honorary Buddhist title of Hogen during his lifetime, are rare, his favored medium for netsuke being ivory. Furthermore, the present subject seems to be unrecorded. Legend has it that certain types of catfish (namazu) are responsible for the earthquakes that plague the islands of Japan. When aroused, these creatures would contort their bodies in such a way that gigantic tremors shook the area for miles and miles. The Shinto deity Kadori Myojin usually attempts to prevent such catastrophe with the help of his magic gourd. Literature comparison: Compare a related ivory netsuke of a man with blowfish by Rantei, note the closely related facial features, illustrated in Arakawa, Hirokazu, The Go Collection of Netsuke. Tokyo National Museum, 1983, p.84-85, no. 150.

GYOKUSEN: A RARE EBONY WOOD NETSUKE OF A TOSHIOTOKO WITH FOUR ONI DURING SETSUBUNBy Gyokusen, signed Gyokusen 玉川 and kakihanJapan, Edo (Tokyo), c. 1820, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Tomkinson, Michael (1898) A Japanese Collection, no. 484.Powerfully carved from a block of heavy kokutan (ebony) wood, depicting a toshitoko dressed in typical garments and throwing roasted beans from a sanbo in his left hand, three oni underneath him taking cover, a further oni hiding behind him inside of a fold of the robe. The eye pupils of the man are inlaid in metal and signed underneath the oval reserve, which forms the cord attachment, GYOKUSEN with kakihan in boldly incised characters. As noted by F. M Meinertzhagen, the artist worked in a similar style to Gyokurintei of Edo, his carvings being of bold design and the signature located in a similar oval reserve.HEIGHT 4.5 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: Ex-collection Michael Tomkinson (1841-1921), collection no. 484.Toshiotoko (年男) are men who were born in the corresponding animal zodiac year and who play a leading role during the Setsubun festival which is celebrated during the first day of spring, or the end of the new year in Edo period Japan and includes the rite of oni-yarai or mame-maki, where roasted beans are thrown at oni to rid the coming year of any demons and disease-bringing spirits.13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium – only for buyers within the EU.

DEME: A RARE AND UNUSUAL EDO SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF A BLIND RAT CATCHERBy a member of the Deme family, signed Deme 出目Japan, Edo (Tokyo), late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The blind rat catcher wearing only a fundoshi, one eye closed, the other double inlaid in bone and dark horn, crouching above a tray and pressing down on a masu, while grabbing the tail of rat which is clambering over his back. The rat's eyes are inlaid in dark horn and the little moxa pellets on the man's back are inlaid in various materials. The underside with the boldly incised signature DEME and the natural himotoshi through the man's fundoshi.HEIGHT 3.6 cmCondition: Crack to one foot and one hand. Otherwise, fine condition with minor associated surface wear and fine, dark brown patina.Provenance: Estate of Günther Kauth (1946-2016), Frankfurt am Main.The Deme family were a famous line of mask carvers who only very rarely carved figural netsuke. The present piece is carved in the typical early Edo school style, the inlays somewhat reminiscent of Miwa and his followers.Auction comparison:For a similarly unusual inlaid wood netsuke of Okame as a rat catcher see Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 22 April 2022, Vienna, lot 160 (sold for 5,688 EUR).

KO: A FINE WALRUS TUSK RYUSA MANJU NETSUKE WITH EGRET AND LOTUSBy Ko, signed Ko 幸Japan, Tokyo, Asakusa district, second half of 19th centuryVery finely carved in imitation of stag antler, the porous sections purposely carved to simulate worm rot on the leaves, depicting a white egret descending amongst lotus flowers and leaves. The reverse with a central himotoshi and signed within an oval reserve in a single seal character KO – which literally means happiness and luck.DIAMETER 4.1 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: Old German private collection, remnants of an old collection label to the reverse.Literature comparison:The artist is not to be confused with the ryusa manju netsuke maker who frequently used metal inlays. For another ryusa netsuke depicting bat and reishi by this rare artist see Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (2016) Kokusai the Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. III, no. 497.This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

SHOMAN: A RARE LACQUERED MASK NETSUKE OF DAIKOKUBy Shoman, signed Shoman 笑滿 Japan, second half of 19th centuryPublished: Bushell, Raymond (1985) Netsuke Masks, p. 59, no. 236.An unusual representation of the lucky god Daikoku, not only due to the choice of material – wood with a fine coating of silver lacquer – but more so due to the manner of the face, which is elongated as if the deity was pulled on both sides by his thick ear lobes. The eyes are treated with gold lacquer with brown pupils and the lips are lacquered in red. The mouth is opened and reveals gold lacquered teeth. The reverse is lacquered in chestnut brown and the himotoshi are through the central bar. The boldly incised signature reads SHOMAN.LENGTH 3.7 cmCondition: Both ears with a small restored crack (only visible in the back). Good condition.Provenance: Ex-collection Raymond Bushell sold in his sale at Sotheby's New York, 21 March 2000, lot 301. Then European collection P. Jacquesson.

A SUPERB KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A TIGER WITH CUBUnsignedJapan, Kyoto, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A remarkably powerful and superbly carved ivory netsuke of a tiger placing one paw protectively on its young cub which attempts to climb up on the adult's side somewhat half-heartedly. The adult tiger's thick tail curls around its body, terminating underneath the cub, while the cub's tail curls around the parent's left front paw, forming a compact and pleasingly tactile composition. What really sets this netsuke apart, however, is the gorgeous, lustrous honey-yellow patina, clearly being handled lovingly by several generations, the tiger's fur coat markings and hairwork heavily worn down, though still clearly visible in the crevices and at irregular intervals throughout the carving. The underside shows the superbly carved, chubby paws and the large, generously excavated himotoshi, tucked away underneath the adult tiger's belly.LENGTH 4.7 cm, HEIGHT 3.1 cmCondition: Very good, undamaged condition. The heavily worn ivory bearing a stunning patina.Provenance: Old Viennese private collection, purchased in 1993.The netsuke is unsigned, however can be confidently attributed to the hand of Tomotada, but it is our opinion that this netsuke requires neither signature nor attribution and stands strongly very much by itself.The tiger (tora) is the third animal of the Asian zodiac and represents courage, resilience, and strength. It also plays an important role in Daoist philosophy providing a counterpoint to the dragon (tatsu). The tiger is not native to Japan; therefore, images of tigers were only known from Chinese paintings or on rare occasions when the tiger's fur was imported into Japan. This brings to mind a Japanese proverb - "When the tiger dies, he leaves his skin, the man his name".Auction comparison:Compare to a closely related ivory netsuke by Tomotada sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 16 April 2021, Vienna, lot 53 (sold for 37,920 EUR). Another closely related ivory netsuke by Tomotada was sold at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 19 March 2013, New York, lot 2140 (sold for 31,250 USD).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0452). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

KAJIKAWA: A GOLD LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO WITH SEVENTY HORSESBy a member of the Kajikawa family, signed Kajikawa 梶川 saku 作 and sealed Ei 榮Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The four-case inro lavishly lacquered in gold with densely sprinkled nashiji against a dark red ground, decorated in gold, silver, and iro-e takamaki-e and hiramaki-e depicting a herd of seventy (!) wild horses in various attitudes by a hilly riverside with patches of grasses, kirigane-inlaid rocks, and neatly lacquered meandering streams. The interior cases bear a quite unusual and beautiful design of stylized peonies and karakusa ('Chinese grasses') against the dark red ground, the rims are of gold fundame. Signed to the underside in gold KAJIKAWA saku [made by Kajikawa] and with the characteristic red 'tsubo' (pot) seal Ei.SIZE 7.7 x 5.7 cmCondition: Excellent condition with only very minor wear. The top of the top case with two small reddish areas of discoloration.Provenance: From a British private collection.Auction comparison:Inro depicting many horses are rare. For another example, see Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 11 May 2021, London, lot 231 (sold for 4,080 GBP).

A RARE COPPER 'TAKOTSUBO' YATATE (PORTABLE WRITING SET)UnsignedJapan, 19th centuryThe yatate comprising a copper fudezutsu (brush holder) with brush, and a sumitsubo (inkwell) in the shape of a takotsubo (octopus trap) with hinged lid engraved in katakiri and kebori with an octopus, its visible eyes inlaid and swirling tentacles neatly detailed. The interior of the inkwell with two compartments.LENGTH 15.6 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear, manufacturing flaws, the interior of the inkwell with malachite encrustations.Provenance: The Strong National Museum of Play, accession number 75.5401 (lacquered to the fudezutsu). Margaret Woodbury Strong (1897-1969) grew up in a prosperous family of collectors. Her interests ranged so widely that by 1960 she had amassed more than 27,000 collectible items and works of art. The vast majority of her collections related in some way to play and as her accumulation grew, Margaret planned a museum to house her collection. It eventually opened to the public in 1982, and grew dramatically over the following decades, expanding its collections, facilities, and resources, now spanning over 285,000 square feet. Today, the Strong National Museum of Play (known as just The Strong Museum or simply The Strong) is the only collections-based museum in the world devoted solely to the study of play.

MINKO: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A CICADA ON PINECONEBy Konan Minko, signed Minko 眠虎Japan, Tsu, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Naturalistically carved as a cicada (semi) perched on top of a pinecone, the details finely carved and the insect's glaring eyes inlaid in pale horn. The well-toned wood bearing a fine, dark patina. Large himotoshi through the pinecone. Signed underneath the wings MINKO.LENGTH 4 cmCondition: Good condition with minor associated surface wear. Some tiny nicks here and there, one wing of the cicada with a smoothed-down chip to the edge of the wing.Provenance: European collection.Cicada netsuke by Minko and his followers are to be considered extremely rare. Furthermore, the subject of a cicada on a pinecone is also unusual, Fuld's Netsuke and Ojime Index only lists one netsuke of this subject (see literature comparison).Literature comparison:For a related wood netsuke of a cicada on pinecone see Hurtig, Bernard (1973) Masterpieces of Netsuke Art: One Thousand Favorites of Leading Collectors, no. 126.Auction comparison:For a related wood netsuke of a cicada pupa on a gourd, by Minko, see Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 14 May 2015, London, lot 41 (sold for 3,125 GBP).

A RARE TSUISHU LACQUER AND POTTERY-INLAID MANJU NETSUKE WITH CLAMSUnsignedJapan, 18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Of circular form, the two-part manju netsuke of kagamibuta style, lacquered in tsuishu (carved red lacquer) with leaves and crashing waves above an asanoha ground, the opening encircled by a key-fret border, the top with an inset disc decorated with three glazed ceramic shells in the style of Ogawa Haritsu (1663-1747) and his followers. The interior lacquered in black.DIAMETER 4 cmCondition: Good condition, some wear, few minor losses to the lacquer and rim.Provenance: Austrian private collection.

JUGYOKU: A FINE IVORY MANJU NETSUKE DEPICTING A SCENE FROM THE KYOGEN PLAY TSURIGITSUNEBy Ryukosai Jugyoku, signed Jugyoku 壽玉Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Of circular form, the two-part manju finely stained and carved to one side in shishiaibori (sunken relief) with Hakuzosu holding a fox mask in his right and a staff in his left hand, to his right the fox hunter kneeling, cleverly carved in high relief to give a three-dimensional feel to the scene. The reverse engraved with a fox trap below the central himotoshi and signed JUGYOKU.The combination of the techniques of sunken and high relief is quite rare and cleverly utilized here as it ties into the subject matter of the manju, as the sly fox is depicted in the background, almost lurking in the shadows.DIAMETER 4.9 cmCondition: Excellent condition, minor surface wear.Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary.The manju depicts a scene from the Kyogen play Tsurigitsune ('Fox trapping'), in which a fox hunter is visited by his uncle, the priest Hakuzosu, who lectures his nephew on the evils of killing foxes. The hunter is nearly convinced, but after the priest departs, he hears the cry of the fox and realizes it wasn't his uncle at all but a fox in disguise. The fox resumes his natural form and reverts to his wild ways, takes the bait in a trap, and is captured by the fox hunter.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0497). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

A WOOD NETSUKE OF A SLEEPING CAT ON A LEAF FANUnsigned Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The cat (neko) is considerably rare in netsuke art. Here it is depicted sleeping serenely, its head and front paws rested on a leaf fan (uchiwa), wearing a collar, the long tail curls around over its body. The hairwork is finely incised and appropriately worn. The underside with generously excavated himotoshi, formed by one smaller and one larger oval holeLENGTH 5 cmCondition: Good condition, minor wear, the handle of the fan repaired.Provenance: German private collection.The motif of a sleeping cat (nemuri neko) was first depicted in Japan in the 17th century by the sculptor Hidari Jingoro in Nikko in the architectural decoration of the corridor (kairo) that starts from the Yomei gate. Cats were imported from China in the Heian period (794-1185) and initially served the ladies at court for entertainment. Over the course of the centuries, they became domesticated. In popular belief the cat played only a minor role. However, there are some legends with cats that turn into people, or they are the subject of proverbs.Museum comparison:Compare a closely related boxwood netsuke of a sleeping cat on a fan, early 19th century, in the Linden-Museum, Stuttgart, inventory number OA 19064.

A RARE SENTOKU YATATE (PORTABLE WRITING SET) WITH PHOENIX AND FISH DESIGNUnsignedJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The yatate comprising a fudezutsu (brush holder) with copper details in the form of a fish, the body worked with floral and karakusa motifs in high relief. The sumitsubo (inkwell) with a hinged lid depicting a stylized phoenix, the reverse with an inscription reading 'when you travel you need to carry this' (出旅必佩).LENGTH 16.7 cmCondition: Good condition, minor wear, manufacturing flaws, few small dents, the base of the fudezutsu lost.Provenance: The Strong National Museum of Play, accession number 78.15318 (lacquered to the side of the inkwell). Margaret Woodbury Strong (1897-1969) grew up in a prosperous family of collectors. Her interests ranged so widely that by 1960 she had amassed more than 27,000 collectible items and works of art. The vast majority of her collections related in some way to play and as her accumulation grew, Margaret planned a museum to house her collection. It eventually opened to the public in 1982, and grew dramatically over the following decades, expanding its collections, facilities, and resources, now spanning over 285,000 square feet. Today, the Strong National Museum of Play (known as just The Strong Museum or simply The Strong) is the only collections-based museum in the world devoted solely to the study of play.Literature comparison:Compare a related brass yatate with relief decorations, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, accession number M.304-1928.

A RARE BUFFALO HORN NETSUKE OF A CICADAUnsignedJapan, 19th centuryResting with its wings drawn in and its legs grasping a branch carved in openwork, the veining on the wings and head finely rendered in relief. The horn of variegated tone. Natural himotoshi.LENGTH 5.9 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear, minuscule nibbling to the exposed areas.Provenance: Ex-collection Richard R. Silverman. Richard R. Silverman (1932-2019) was a renowned Asian art collector with one of the largest private collections of netsuke outside of Japan. He lived in Tokyo between 1964 and 1979 and began to collect netsuke there in 1968. Since the 1970s, he wrote and lectured about netsuke and was an Asian art consultant for Christie's, Sotheby's, and Bonhams. His gift of 226 ceramic netsuke to the Toledo Museum of Art constitutes perhaps the largest public collection of these miniature clay sculptures in the world. After moving to California, Silverman became a member of the Far Eastern Art Council at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1984. In 1993, he joined LACMA's Executive Board. He served on the board of directors for the International Society of Appraisers from 1986 to 1994 and served nine years as chair for the City of West Hollywood Fine Arts Commission. Richard Silverman was posthumously awarded the Order of the Rising Sun for his decades-long promotion of Japanese culture.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related buffalo horn netsuke of a cicada, sold at Bonhams, The James A. Rose Collection of Netsuke and Sagemono, 17 September 2013, New York, lot 2030 (sold for 1,750 USD).

KAN: A RARE LACQUER AND POTTERY-INLAID MANJU NETSUKE OF DARUMA INSIDE A CAVEBy a follower of Ogawa Haritsu (Ritsuo, 1663-1747), sealed Kan 観Japan, late 18th-early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The black-lacquered manju netsuke hollowed out to the front and inlaid with a loose, red-glazed pottery Daruma, his facial features left unglazed, depicting the zen-patriarch during his 9-year meditation within a cave, his legs rotted away and now more resembling a daruma-doll. The reverse is superbly lacquered in iro-e takamaki-e with inlays of aogai depicting a hossu (Buddist fly whisk) next to the two himotoshi and the inlaid pottery seal KAN - a seal used by members of the school of Ogawa Haritsu (1663-1747). The pinkish seal used may suggest the work of Michizuki Hanzan (1743-1790).DIAMETER 4 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear to the black-lacquered ground including some light crackling, the ceramic seal slightly worn as well.Provenance: Formerly the property of the Strong Museum, donated by Margaret Woodbury Strong (1897-1969), a prolific collector and founder and namesake of the museum. With accession no. '80.3052' lacquered to the side.Auction comparison: Netsuke bearing the seal Kan are considerably rare, for another depicting Daruma see Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part I, 9 November 2010, London, lot 136 (sold for 8,160 GBP).

A RARE STAG ANTLER NETSUKE OF A CHINESE VESSELUnsignedJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Depicting a Chinese archaic vessel, the rim neatly incised with a keyfret border, the single himotoshi in the back in the form of an eyelet. The antler bearing a beautiful caramel patina, typical for early stag antler netsuke, the porous surface dramatically utilized as a décor element.HEIGHT 3.3 cm, LENGTH 3.4 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor and typical flaws to the material. The himotoshi possibly used to have inset eyelet as the cord attachment.Provenance: Ex-collection Cornelius V. S. Roosevelt (1915-1991), grandson of former US president Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (1858-1919), purchased in 1964. Sold at Sotheby's, The Cornelius V. S Roosevelt Collection of Netsuke, 2 June 1992, New York, lot 336.

A RARE KYOTO SCHOOL NARWHAL TUSK NETSUKE OF A WEASEL ON A ROCKUnsignedJapan, Kyoto, late 18th – early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved from a triangular section of the tusk, depicting a weasel (itachi) with neatly incised fur, holding a fruiting berry branch between its front paws, the large eyes inlaid in lustrous dark horn, and the bushy tail sweeping down the rock on which it sits. Two large himotoshi to the back. The underside shows the characteristic striations of this beautifully polished material.LENGTH 3.4 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear and natural, material-typical age cracks.Provenance: Old German private collection.The present piece belongs to a coveted group of netsuke carved from narwhal tusk and depicting animals in the Kyoto style. This workshop clearly excelled in the use of this rare and expensive material.Museum comparison:Compare to a closely related narwhal tusk netsuke from the same workshop, depicting a goat on a rock, in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), New York, accession no. 10.211.38. According to the online listing the netsuke is signed Rantei, however no signature is visible on the images provided.Literature comparison:Also compare to an ivory netsuke of a weasel (itachi), Osaka school, illustrated in Rutherston & Bandini, The Sheila M. Baker Collection of Japanese Netsuke and Inro, no. 38.This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

TOMOCHIKA: A SUPERB AND RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A SPARROW DANCER (SUZUME ODORI)By Chikuyosai Tomochika I, signed Tomochika 友親Japan, Edo (Tokyo), early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The sparrow dancer raising his left foot dynamically, touching his ankle with his left hand, balled into a fist, the right hand touching his kasa hat. His expression is carved extremely well, and the folds of his robe match the movement of the composition perfectly. Appropriate himotoshi to the back, the larger hole generously excavated to accommodate the knot and signed in boldly incised characters TOMOCHIKA – the work is clearly that of Chikuyosai Tomochika I, founder of the Tomochika school of carvers. The wood bearing a fine, dark patina.HEIGHT 9.5 cmCondition: Very good condition, tiny chip to the back of the hat. Some minor expected surface wear, beautiful patina.Provenance: Formerly the property of the Strong Museum, donated by Margaret Woodbury Strong (1897-1969), a prolific collector and founder and namesake of the museum. With accession no 'MWSM 74.506' lacquered to the side.Literature comparison:There appears to be only one other netsuke recorded of this subject by Tomochika I, formerly in the Seymour Trower collection, illustrated in Joly, H. L. (1966) Catalogue of the H. Seymour Trower Collection of Japanese Art, pl. IV., no. 74, and in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 886.

A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A COCKEREL ON AWABIUnsignedJapan, second half of 19th centuryFinely carved, the rooster standing on top of an awabi shell – a quite unusual subject pairing. The proud cockerel turns its head slightly to the left, the eyes inlaid in dark horn, and the plumage and long tail feathers very finely incised. Natural himotoshi. The well-toned wood bearing a fine patina.HEIGHT 4.6 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: German private collection.

A VERY RARE LEATHER TABAKO-IRE WITH INLAID MOTHER-OF-PEARL 'CAT' KANAMONOBy Masanobu, signed Masanobu 政信Japan, c. 1900The tobacco pouch (tabako-ire) crafted from European leather and neatly worked with a 'tortoiseshell' ground. The front of the pouch beautifully worked in forbidden stitch (knotted stitch) depicting a garden scene with pavilions and scholar's rocks, framed by a key-fret border. The finely polished kanamono (pouch fitting) carved from a choice piece of mother-of-pearl in the form of a sleeping cat with collar and bell in polychrome colors, the side of the kanamono with the signature MASANOBU. The interior with a Japanese 1 ryo koban (gold coin) stamped 'one ryo' and 'mitsutsugu' (壱两, 光次).LENGTH 12 cm, HEIGHT 7.9 cm (the tabako-ire), LENGTH 3.6 cm (the kanamono)Condition: Good condition, the leather worn as expected, the kanamono with some wear to the lacquer, few small pin holes.Provenance: Swiss private collection.This stunning tabako-ire combines a variety of unusual materials and remarkably difficult techniques. The leather is crafted in typical European fashion, while the embroidery is made in Chinese style featuring the notoriously difficult 'forbidden stitch'.

HOGYOKU: A RARE MARINE TOOTH NETSUKE OF A SARUMAWASHI WITH TWO MONKEYSBy Hogyoku, signed Hogyoku 宝玉Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved as a sarumawashi (monkey trainer) standing and handing a fruit to one monkey, another monkey finishing its snack visible in the back. The sarumawashi with a gentle smile, wearing a well-carved voluminous robe, holding a small drum, and with a tobacco pouch tied to his waist. The back with two himotoshi and signed HOGYOKU.HEIGHT 5.1 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear, few natural age cracks.Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary.This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

TACHIBANA FUMISHIGE: A FINE GOLD LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO WITH EN SUITE NETSUKE BY SHORINBy Tachibana Fumishige, signed Tachibana Fumishige saku 橘文重作Japan, c. 1850, Edo period (1615-1868)The four-case inro bearing a superb gold kinji ground and lacquered in brown, silver, and gold takamaki-e to the front with an ox, the hairwork beautifully detailed. The reverse with a Buddhist mantra lacquered in gold takamaki-e:“The happiness of longevity and peace of mindI will be saved from sickness and granted prolonged lifeWe are blessed with a great rewardAll people love and respect each otherThe seven treasures are given to the people who come here”The interior cases of nashiji with gold fundame rims and signed underneath TACHIBANA FUMISHIGE saku [made by Tachibana Fumishige]. With a gold and copper ojime formed as a leafy gourd and a fine 18th-century ebony wood netsuke depicting a recumbent ox, the horns and ears of silver, and the eyes double inlaid in buffalo horn. The underside of the netsuke with large and generously excavated himotoshi and the signature SHORIN.HEIGHT 8 cm (inro), LENGTH (netsuke) 5.2 cmCondition: The inro in excellent condition with hardly any wear. The netsuke with some old restorations.Provenance: Formerly the property of the Strong Museum, donated by Margaret Woodbury Strong (1897-1969), a prolific collector and founder and namesake of the museum. The interior of the bottom case with accession no. '75.1966'.The surname Tachibana 橘 literally means Tachibana trees (citrus nobilis). There are several lacquer artists who used the Tachibana family name such as Tachibana Gyokuzan. However, this lacquer artist Tachibana Fumishige is rare, and it is not clear whether he was related to Tachibana Gyokuzan. In the Kinsei Makieshi Meikan compilation, reproduced in the Rokusho Magazine, volume 24, Takao Yo notes that an extant work (sake cup) belongs to the Ii family of the Hikone fief and is now at the Hikone Castle Museum; the date Tenpo 14 (1843) inscribed on the cup. The Ii family crest happens to be a Tachibana tree.

SHIBATA REISAI: A SUPERB AND RARE FOUR-CASE LACQUER INROBy Shibata Reisai (1850-1915), signed Shibata Reisai 柴田令哉Japan, late 19th- early 20th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)Published: Klefisch, Trudel (1984) The Champoud Collection Inro, illustrated on pl. 283.Grace Tsumugi, London, November 2002, no. 24.Sydney Moss Ltd. (2014) Lac, Lacquer, Lacquest, pp. 304-305, no. 119.The four-case inro of upright rectangular form and oval section, bearing an elegant roiro ground, the front decorated with a resting boy shown from behind, wearing a lavishly decorated gold-lacquered robe embellished with inlays of iridescent aogai (mother-of-pearl). An inlaid aogai and metal-enriched lacquer sickle is placed into his red-lacquered obi. The boy is seated on a 'cloud' of nashiji grasses with sparsely inlaid kirigane flakes, above him some grasses and flowers are visible which extend to the other side, revealing a huge Rimpa-style pewter-lacquered basket filled with various flowers worked in gold takamaki-e with inlays of pottery, aogai and kirigane. The underside signed in gold maki-e characters SHIBATA REISAI. The interior cases of nashiji with gold fundame rims. With a carved black lacquer ojime.A remarkably elegant and delicate artwork from a considerably rare artist.HEIGHT 8.1 cm, LENGTH 4.5 cmCondition: Excellent condition with only very minimal surface wear.Provenance: Ex-collection Maurice Champoud (1898-1981). Ex-collection Idemitsu Bijutsukan, Tokyo. With Grace Tsumugi Ltd, ex-collection Shep Brozman, New York, acquired from the above. Then with Syndey Moss Ltd., London. US private collection, acquired from the above.According to Edward Wrangham, “[Reisai] worked as one of his father's [Shibata Zeshin] many pupils, lacquering both inro and netsuke. Zeshin himself used the name Reisai as a go until he was twenty-six, which has caused some confusion. However Zeshin used this go in seal form, on paintings and prints; Reisai signed with his name written in script on his lacquer wares. Moreover Reisai's works have a style of their own: they are often smallish […] and decorated with a Rimpa design.” (Earle, Joe [ed.], 1995, The Index of Inro Artists, p. 252).

A RARE INLAID AND LACQUERED HINOKI WOOD THREE CASE INRO WITH DRAGONFLIESUnsignedJapan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The three-case inro of lenticular profile, carved from hinoki (cypress) wood, the surface beautifully polished, and beautifully inlaid with a total of seven dragonflies in shibuichi with gold highlights, red lacquer, aogai (mother-of-pearl), and stained horn.HEIGHT 7.2 cm, LENGTH 5.2 cmCondition: Excellent condition with only very minimal surface wear. Some fine age cracks near the cord holes of the top case.Provenance: Ex-collection Arthur Kay (1860-1939), with old label '0325' pasted underneath. Arthur Kay was a British industrialist and important collector, one of the earliest European collectors of Japanese lacquerware.

A RARE STAG ANTLER OBI-HASAMI NETSUKE WITH REISHI FUNGUS AND BATSUnsignedJapan, Tokyo, Asakusa District, late 19th centuryFinely carved and stained as the doubled stemmed immortality mushroom, its head carved with a bat in high relief. The combination of bat and reishi is a popular motif, originally coming from China, symbolizing longevity. Two himotoshi through the head.LENGTH 11.1 cmCondition: Excellent condition, fine natural age cracks.Provenance: European collection.Used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, the reishi fungus (in Chinese lingzhi) motif is valued in both China and Japan for its aesthetic qualities as an ornament.Literature comparison:Compare a related stag-antler obi-hasami netsuke of lotus leaves by Masayuki, circa 1860-1880, illustrated in Moss, Sydney L. (2016) Kokusai The Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. III, p. 122-123, no. 407.

A RARE CARVED COCONUT TONKOTSU WITH KIKUJIDO AND ATTENDANTUnsignedJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)An unusual tonkotsu constructed from the shell of a coconut in several panels joined with a band and fixed with metal pegs. To the front Kikujido (the chrysanthemum boy) is seated at the writing desk, next to a Chinese wine ewer which contains the nectar for eternal youth and immortality, about to write the following line from the Lotus Sutra: “The sunflower-looking plant is in fact chrysanthemums (kiku); the dew drops from chrysanthemums became an elixir nectar for immortality.” To the rear, his attendant is reading the completed sutra. The lid is neatly incised with clouds, the top with a quatrefoil floral band above a Chinese fan.HEIGHT 7 cm, LENGTH 6.5 cmCondition: Good condition with minor wear and few natural age cracks and tiny losses typical for the material.Provenance: British private collection.

A RARE BAMBOO NETSUKE OF A MOKUGYO YOKAIUnsignedJapan, 20th centuryFinely carved as the tsukumogami (animate household object) of a mokugyo temple bell with a large, curved handle and swirling curls underneath, the front formed as a monster head with floppy ears, furrowed brows and broad nose. The hollowed bell makes the appropriate sound when struck. Natural himotoshi through the handle.HEIGHT 5.5 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary, purchased from Michael Strone.This netsuke is likely inspired by the Tsukumogami Emaki, (Illustrated Scroll of Animated Utensils, 16th century) which features as its protagonists a band of used utensils that have turned into monsters (yokai). This work belongs to a genre of such tales composed between the 14th and 16th centuries, known as otogi-zoshi, or Muromachi tales. The Tsukumogami Emaki also inspired the famous Night Parade of One Hundred Demons by Kawanabe Kyosai.Tsukumogami are animate household objects. After a service life of nearly one hundred years, utsuwamono or kibutsu (containers, tools, and instruments) receive souls (kami).

HOGEN: A RARE WOOD MASK NETSUKESigned Hogen 法元Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The expressively carved mask depicts a screaming lion head, identifiable by the characteristic nose with large flaring nostrils. The mouth is grotesquely wide open, the creature has large ears and eyes which are lacquered in silver with black-lacquer pupils. The reverse with large himotoshi through a central bridge which houses the finely cut signature HOGEN – more likely referring to the honorary title rather than a carver's name. The wood of a good color and with a fine hand patina.HEIGHT 4.9 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: European collection P. Jacquesson, purchased from Kunsthandel Klefisch, Asiatische Kunst, on 24 June 1995, lot 304.Literature comparison:A similar netsuke described as Otobide (hornless demon) is shown in Lazarnick, George (1982) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures, Vol. 1, p. 475. 

A RARE NARWHAL TUSK AND SILVER KAGAMIBUTA NETSUKE OF A COILED DRAGON GRASPING A TAMAUnsignedJapan, late 19th centuryThe silver disc perfectly fitted into the narwhal bowl with typical ridged 'tree-bark' surface on the sides, the finely polished underside showing the beautiful natural marbling of the material. The coiled dragon with masterfully incised scales, gilt eyes, and grasping a mother-of-pearl inlaid tama (magical jewels) in its claws. The underside with an inset disc housing the central himotoshi, the cord attachment underneath the silver dragon disc.DIAMETER 4.2 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear to gilt and silver, few natural age cracks.Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary.

A RARE SENTOKU AND IRON YATATE (PORTABLE WRITING SET) WITH COILED RATUnsignedJapan, 18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The yatate comprising a pen-shaped fudezutsu (brush holder) decorated with a hanabishi pattern, with brush and a circular sumitsubo (inkwell), the iron lid depicting a coiled rat, its tooth inlaid in gold, the base of the inkwell with the Azai mon.LENGTH 18.1 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear, manufacturing flaws, the iron lid with cuprite encrustations.Provenance: The Strong National Museum of Play, accession number 78.1601 (lacquered to the base of the inkwell). Margaret Woodbury Strong (1897-1969) grew up in a prosperous family of collectors. Her interests ranged so widely that by 1960 she had amassed more than 27,000 collectible items and works of art. The vast majority of her collections related in some way to play and as her accumulation grew, Margaret planned a museum to house her collection. It eventually opened to the public in 1982, and grew dramatically over the following decades, expanding its collections, facilities, and resources, now spanning over 285,000 square feet. Today, the Strong National Museum of Play (known as just The Strong Museum or simply The Strong) is the only collections-based museum in the world devoted solely to the study of play.The Azai was a line of daimyos (feudal lords) seated at Odani Castle in northeastern Ōmi Province. They originated in the early 1500s and claimed descent from the Hokke branch of the Fujiwara, a powerful clan in Japan from the Heian period to the Kamakura period.

A POWERFUL OSAKA SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A CROUCHING TIGERUnsignedJapan, Osaka, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Zacke (1989), Netsuke von Meistern, no. 44.Boldly carved and deeply stained, with particular attention devoted to the fur coat of alternating stripes and circles against the neatly incised fur. The bulky creature does its very best to look fierce, its head turned back, the eyes inlaid, the animal about to snarl with sharp fangs showing at the corners of the mouth. The thick tail curls over the back and the massive, chubby paws are firmly pressed against the ground. Small himotoshi underneath, the cord channel generously excavated. A compact and pleasingly tactile ivory netsuke bearing a fine patina.LENGTH 4.4 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor surface wear and expected age cracks. Fine patina. Natural nerve channels are brilliantly incorporated into the design forming part of the tiger's fur coat.Provenance: Old Viennese private collection, purchased from Galerie Gemini in 1990.The tiger (tora) is the third animal of the Asian zodiac and represents courage, resilience, and strength. It also plays an important role in Daoist philosophy providing a counterpoint to the dragon (tatsu). The tiger is not native to Japan; therefore, images of tigers were only known from Chinese paintings or on rare occasions when the tiger's fur was imported into Japan. This brings to mind a Japanese proverb - "When the tiger dies, he leaves his skin, the man his name".Auction comparison:For a closely related ivory netsuke see Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 22 March 2022, New York, lot 3019 (sold for 4,636 USD). Another closely related ivory netsuke was sold at Lempertz, Asian Art, 27 June 2020, Cologne, lot 329 (sold for 4,000 EUR).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0454). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

OSHIN: A SUPERB STAG ANTLER 'LOTUS' SASHI NETSUKEBy Imai Oshin (1880-1951), unsignedJapan, Kyoto, c. 1900Naturalistically carved in the form of a segmented lotus root issuing a yet to unfurl leaf and seed pod, the leaf and segments masterfully incised. The cord attachment between the main segment and leaf.LENGTH 14.1 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear, few natural age cracks.Provenance: British collection.Imai Oshin (1880-1951) lived and worked in Kyoto and is considered one of the finest artists creating burlwood okimono, trays, and scepters for sencha tea ceremony. His work typically reveals a subject hidden in a natural form, the present netsuke resembling a stylized praying mantis. His netsuke are considerably rare and usually date to his early years, between the late 1890s-1910s.The lotus is a well-known symbol of purity in Buddhism, its leaf and flowers floating on the surface of water, while below its roots are submerged in the stagnant waters of earthly desire. Beauty is achieved by rising above attachment to material things.Literature comparison:Compare to a near-identical stag antler okimono, measuring 28.6 cm, by Imai Oshin, illustrated in Bandini, Rosemary (2016), Japanese Netsuke, Kiseruzutsu Lacquer and Works of Art, no. 26.Auction comparison:Compare to a closely related stag antler scepter in the form of a lotus root, by Imai Oshin, sold at Bonhams, The Zuiun Collection, 15 March 2017, New York, lot 5035 (sold for 12,500 USD).13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium – only for buyers within the EU.

KORYU: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A HORNED SHISHI KORO (INCENSE BURNER)By Koryu, signed Koryu 好柳Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The koro in the form of a horned shishi with stout body and short curled feet, flames emanating from the sides, its face with an amusing expression, the mouth agape (allowing smoke to be released) revealing sharp fangs, the horn encircled by a swirling mane and touching the curled tail handle. Good, asymmetrical himotoshi to the underside, formed by one larger oval hole and a smaller hole ringed in green-stained antler. Signed KORYU to the back.LENGTH 3.7 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear. Fine, warm polish.Provenance: Ex-collection Alan R. Liss, sold at Sotheby's, Fine Netsuke Including Property from the Collection of Alan R. Liss, 2 September 1993, Chicago, lot 241.13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium – only for buyers within the EU.

KOMA KORYU: A SUPERB AND VERY RARE LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO WITH LURKING SNAKE, SPARROW AND SNOWY BAMBOOBy Koma Koryu, signed Koma Koryu 古満巨柳Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The four-case inro of upright rectangular form and oval section, superbly lacquered in iro-e takamaki-e and hiramaki-e, with gold kirigane flakes, depicting a snowy landscape of tall, leafy bamboo stalks with clouds above and bamboo shoots below. A brown-lacquered sparrow (suzume) is seen descending through the dense bamboo forest on one side. The seemingly innocent, almost idyllic scene is betrayed by the swift flight of the bird; the reason for this is provided upon closer examination of the inro - when following the bamboo node cord runners on the side, a snake's body appears, slithering across the underside to the other side of the cord runners, terminating at the top of the inro, where the snake's head enters the frame above the flying sparrow, ready to strike. A truly ingenious composition, as the shape of the inro lends to the dramatic effect of the lurking snake. The top and bottom are attractively lacquered and inlaid in the Somada-style, providing a brilliant contrast to the snake's thick body. The interior cases of nashiji with gold fundame edges. Signed to the underside in gold KOMA KORYU saku [made by Koma Koryu]. With a matching shibuichi and gilt ojime in the form of a leafy bamboo node.SIZE 8.9 x 4.9 cmCondition: Excellent condition with only very minor wear consistent with age and use.Provenance: Formerly the property of the Strong Museum, donated by Margaret Woodbury Strong (1897-1969), a prolific collector and founder and namesake of the museum. The interior of the bottom case with accession no. '75.5327'.Auction comparison:Compare to a closely related four-case lacquer inro by the same artist (Koma Koryu) depicting a snake attacking a crane sold at Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part V, 5 November 2014, London, lot 143 (sold for 37,500 GBP). Note particularly the similarities in subject matter, the various lacquer tones used for the snake and bird, and the glass-inlaid eyes.

SEKIGAWA KATSUNOBU: A RARE BLACK AND GOLD LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO DEPICITING FALCONERSBy Sekigawa Katsunobu, signed Sekigawa Katsunobu 勝信saku 作 and sealed Ei 榮Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Of upright rectangular shape and lenticular profile, the four-case inro bearing a fine roiro ground, decorated in gold and silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, mura nashiji, and with some kirigane, depicting a rather amusing scene of two falconers, one standing with a falcon resting on his arm, the other scrambling with outstretched arms after the falcon's prey, the two cranes escaping to the other side, fading away into the horizon. Signed underneath SEKIGAWA KATSUNOBU with red 'tsubo' pot seal EI – a seal used by the Kajikawa family of lacquerers. The interior of nashiji with fundame edges. With a spherical amber ojime.HEIGHT 7.5 cm, LENGTH 5.8 cmCondition: Very Good condition with minor wear to lacquer. Some tiny dents to the top case and some tiny chips to edges of cases.Provenance: Formerly the property of the Strong Museum, donated by Margaret Woodbury Strong (1897-1969), a prolific collector and founder and namesake of the museum. The interior of the bottom case with accession no. '75.1949'.For further information on the artist see Earle, Joe [ed.] (1995) The Index of Inro Artists, p. 118.Falconry (takagari) was introduced to Japan from China in the 4th century. Hunting with hawks and falcons is mentioned in the Kojiki (712). In the Heian period (794-1185), the sport of falconry was practiced by emperors and their courtiers. By the Kamakura period (1185-1333), samurai clans had established various schools, methods and traditions of hunting with falcons and hawks. By the Edo period (1615-1868), falconry was officially patronized by the shogunate and the position of master of falconry was established in the shogunate bureaucracy.

KOMIN: A RARE SHIBUICHI YATATE WITH RAT AND DAIKONBy Ikedo Komin, signed Komin 光民Japan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1686-1912)The yatate comprising a shibuichi fudezutsu (brush holder) with brush, and a rounded rectangular sumitsubo (inkwell), the hinged lid decorated with a rat and daikon flowers in katakiribori, alluding to the lucky god of wealth Daikoku. Signed to the front KOMIN.LENGTH 15.4 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear.Provenance: The Strong National Museum of Play, accession number 78.1646 (lacquered to the interior of the inkwell). Margaret Woodbury Strong (1897-1969) grew up in a prosperous family of collectors. Her interests ranged so widely that by 1960 she had amassed more than 27,000 collectible items and works of art. The vast majority of her collections related in some way to play and as her accumulation grew, Margaret planned a museum to house her collection. It eventually opened to the public in 1982, and grew dramatically over the following decades, expanding its collections, facilities, and resources, now spanning over 285,000 square feet. Today, the Strong National Museum of Play (known as just The Strong Museum or simply The Strong) is the only collections-based museum in the world devoted solely to the study of play.The metal artist Ikedo Komin, given name Yasubei, made yatate and other small metal fittings such as kozuka (sword-fittings). Komin lived in Matsushitamachi, Tokyo and was active at the end of the Meiji period. He was the second son of Chomin and studied under his father. His sword fittings and yatate are usually made in shibuichi metal and finished in katakiribori engraving. Komin is listed on page 180 in the Toso Kinko Jiten by Wakayama Takeshi, Yuzankaku Publishers.

MASATAMI: A RARE IVORY NETSUKE OF THE SAMBIKI SARU (THREE WISE MONKEYS)By Masatami (Shomin), signed Masatami 正民Japan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912)Finely carved and stained, depicting the three wise monkeys (hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil) arranged in a compact circle, covering each other's mouth, ears, or eyes. The facial expressions are executed in the typical manner of the artist with small squinty eyes painted with black sumi and minutely inlaid pupils of dark horn. The hairwork is neatly incised. Note the superbly carved bony fingers. The underside with the signature MASATAMI in a typical rectangular reserve and the natural himotoshi through one of the monkey's legs.LENGTH 3 cm, HEIGHT 2.7 cmCondition: Excellent condition, minor surface wear. Provenance: Italian private collection.Monkeys are a favorite subject of Masatami, his treatment of them being idiosyncratic and imbued with a healthy portion of humor and wit. The subject of the sambiki saru is rare for the artist, with no other examples recorded in literature.Auction comparison:Compare to an ivory netsuke of two monkeys, by Masatami, sold at Christie's, The Japanese Aesthetic, 15 May 2013, London, lot 420 (sold for 3,250 GBP).This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

A RARE EBONY WOOD NETSUKE OF A BATUnsignedJapan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved as a somewhat bulky bat (komori), the wings resting beside its body, and the pointed tail curling underneath. The fur is very finely incised, and the expression is amusingly whimsical with tiny inlaid eyes of lustrous dark horn. Large, generously excavated himotoshi through the underside.LENGTH 5.3 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor surface wear.Provenance: European collection.Auction comparison:Compare a related wood netsuke by Horaku, note the similar minutely inlaid eyes, at Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke, Part III, 6 November 2018, London, lot 118 (sold for 5,265 GBP).

A RARE WOOD GYODO MASK NETSUKE OF TAMONTENInscribed with the name of the mask 'Tamonten' 天聞多 Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Bushell, Raymond (1985) Netsuke Masks, p. 19, no. 29.A religious Gyodo wood mask netsuke depicting Tamonten, one of the four Shi Tenno (heavenly kings), the guardians of the four directions. Tamonten guards the north and is derived from the Hindu deity Kubera.The wood mask netsuke is finely carved from a dark wood with reddish hues. The expression radiates with Buddhism – the sculptors of the original Gyodo masks also carved fixed images of Buddha in different manifestations, various divinities, and bodhisattvas. Tamonten has large ears with thick lobes, finely carved hair which appears like wings on the sides, and sensitively crafted lips. He has two pierced eyeholes, like the life-size masks would have. The original shape of the Gyodo mask is also retained, as this type would cover the entire head and neck. The guardian deity wears a headpiece surmounted by a tear-shaped finial and decorated with a finely incised flower, indicating the four directions, in high relief against a stippled ground. One central himotoshi through the back, above the inscription 'Tamonten', the other himotoshi natural through the opening of the mask in the underside.Gyodo is a Japanese Buddhist ceremony where the procession is purely religious. Gyodo masks are the earliest known masks in Japan and were not worn by actors but by priests. As with Gigaku and Bugaku masks (nos. 238 & 239), the Gyodo mask netsuke were never signed but rather inscribed with the name of the mask, out of respect for the ceremony and for the sculptors of the original masks.HEIGHT 3.5 cm, LENGTH 3.3 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: Ex-collection Raymond Bushell, then European collection P. Jacquesson.

MASANAGA: A MASTERFUL NAGOYA SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF TWO PLAYING RATSBy Masanaga, signed Masanaga 正長Japan, Nagoya, first half of 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Exhibition catalogue, The Japan House Gallery New York, The Magnificent Three: Lacquer, Netsuke and Tsuba, Selections from the Charles A. Greenfield Collection, no. 146 (unillustrated).The two rodents huddled intimately, one forming a ball on the ground and covering one eye with one paw while the other clambers over it, the three visible eyes inlaid in lustrous, dark-reddish horn. The hairwork is masterfully incised against the deeply polished cherry wood, giving the netsuke a marvelously tactile feel in the hand. The underside shows both thick tails curling around, forming the himotoshi, and the finely carved paws, as well as the signature MASANAGA within a polished reserve.Not much is known about the artist other than that he worked in the Nagoya style and that his work is considerably rare. Masanaga's netsuke at their peak seem to possess more individual character and artistic freedom than his Nagoya contemporaries. The artist shows extraordinary powers of observation, not at least in the complicated interplay of the paws of the two rodents.HEIGHT 3.2 cm, LENGTH 3.8 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor associated surface wear.Provenance: Hayashi Tadamasa (1853-1906), sold in his sale, Chevalier at the Hôtel Drouot, 16-21 February 1903, lot 1311. Then Charles A. Greenfield, sold in his second sale at Sotheby's New York, 18 September 1998, lot 61. With Scholten Japanese Art, New York, 2009. Sydney L. Moss, 2009. French private collection, acquired from the above.The only other example of a rat known thus far by the artist was sold by Max Rutherston Ltd., formerly in the collection of Rolf Schmoll, and depicting a rat balled in a similar way to the present netsuke.Auction comparison:Compare to a closely related wood netsuke of a rat by Ikkan, sold at Bonhams, Fine Netsuke from a French Private Collection, 4 November 2020, London, lot 44 (sold for 11,312 GBP). Also compare to a closely related wood netsuke of two rats by Ikkan, sold at Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art, 8 November 2011, London, lot 110 (sold for 9,375 GBP).

A VERY RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A GIRAFFEUnsignedJapan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The horse-like animal reclining with its hooved legs drawn underneath the body for compactness, the bushy tail sweeping around and resting against its side, the very long neck rising tall, the animal looking backwards with a charming expression, the eyes double inlaid in pale and dark horn. Note the superbly carved mane and large, asymmetrical himotoshi underneath. The well-toned wood bearing a superb, chocolate-brown patina.LENGTH 3.9 cm, HEIGHT 3.9 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor associated surface wear.Provenance: British private collection.The giraffe first came to Japan in 1907, although a stuffed specimen was displayed at the Tokyo National Museum in 1877. Japanese paintings of giraffes began earlier, from the end of the 18th century, with their source being a giraffe taken from Africa to China in 1414 and presented to the Yongle emperor.As is well-documented with the tiger in Japanese art, accurate representations of the giraffe were scarce, the only source being the aforementioned Chinese paintings, which were certainly hard to come by. It is rather unlikely the anonymous carver of the present netsuke had seen any kind of accurate representation of this unusual exotic animal, though may have heard of it through rumors or hearsay and likened it to a horse with a very long neck.

A RARE METAL-INLAID SINGLE CASE GOLD LACQUER INRO WITH SAMURAI DRINKING SAKEUnsignedJapan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The single case inro bearing a lustrous gold kinji ground and inlaid to the front with a large mixed metal plaque of shibuichi, shakudo, gold, and copper depicting a visibly inebriated samurai leaning against a straw bale and lifting a huge sake saucer to his lips. The samurai's elaborately crafted robe is richly adorned with patterns and highlights of nonume-zogan, as well as incised tsuru no maru crests. With a fine gilt and copper ojime depicting a fruiting pomegranate branch emerging from a bamboo basket.SIZE 6.4 x 5.7 cmCondition: Overall good condition. Structurally inherent crackling to the lacquer around the metal plaque. Provenance: Formerly the property of the Strong Museum, donated by Margaret Woodbury Strong (1897-1969), a prolific collector and founder and namesake of the museum. The interior of the bottom case with accession no. '76.5332'.

SARI: A VERY RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A NINGYO (MERMAID)By Sari, signed Sari 左里Japan, Iwashiro province, first half of 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved, the mermaid pulling her tail fin with both hands towards her body, her long hair falling along her back. The scales, fins, and long hair are finely incised, the oval face with a hypnotic smile. Natural himotoshi through the tail and right arm, signed SARI within an oval reserve.LENGTH 4.3 cmCondition: Good condition, one damage to the edge of the tail, possibly restored.Provenance: Ex-collection Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt. “Teddy” Hahn (1933-2012) was a well-known and respected collector of netsuke and other Asian works of art. After spending time in museums to study the early cultures of the world, finding particular interest in their sculptures, he began collecting, remarking, “I somehow knew it would have a profound influence on my life. How right I was. And how happy I have been.”Ningyo are half-human, half-fish sea creatures that equate with the mermaid of Western traditions. Most likely inspired by the sighting of dugongs in the ocean, folklore transforms them into alluring females, usually depicted cradling a baby to their naked breasts or holding a tama, the sacred jewel of the dragon king of the sea.Sari is well-known for his carvings of snails and animals, the present ningyo seems to be unique for the artist.Auction comparison:Compare a related wood netsuke of two fugu fishes by Sari, early 19th century, at Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke - Part I, 8 November 2016, London, lot 163 (sold for 5,000 GBP).

TADATOSHI: A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A SLEEPING DOGBy Tadatoshi, signed Tadatoshi 忠利Japan, Nagoya, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Superbly carved, the peacefully sleeping dog curled into a ball, its head resting on its front paws and nestled against its thigh, the expression sensitively crafted. The hairwork is masterfully incised, in the typical manner of the artist, and the feet are tucked in neatly underneath the body, forming a pleasingly compact and tactile composition. Good himotoshi underneath, the larger hole generously excavated to accommodate the knot. Signed in ukibori characters within a raised rectangular reserve TADATOSHI. Attractively worn and bearing a fine patina.LENGTH 4 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor associated surface wear, some light surface scratches. Fine patina.Provenance: US private collection.Literature comparison:The subject is rare for Tadatoshi and his followers; the expression of the dog is akin to his netsuke of sleeping Shojo. For a closely related wood netsuke of a sleeping dog and pup by Tadatoshi, see Eskenazi (1978), Eighteenth to twentieth century netsuke, no. 36.

A RARE AND HUMOROUS WOOD AND NEGORO LACQUER NETSUKE OF HOTEI TAKING A BATHUnsigned Japan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) An amusing parody of the classic shunga-esque subject of a lady, or sometimes Okame, taking a bath, though this time it is Hotei leaning over a bathtub, his left hand immersed in water, the right hand cleaning his pendulous earlobe, and his face with a joyful expression as he proudly presents his corpulent body with large breasts. His loincloth is lacquered in the negoro-style. Natural himotoshi. HEIGHT 3.7 cm Condition: Good condition, minor wear, some natural age cracks, one larger crack between the tub and Hotei's body, some minuscule nicks. Provenance: European collection. Auction comparison: Compare a related wood netsuke of Okame taking a bath, attributed to Tanaka Juntoko Minko, late 18th century, at Zacke, Asian Art Discoveries - Japanese & Korean Art, 10 September 2021, Vienna, lot 285 (sold for 2,402 EUR).

JUGYOKU: A RARE WOOD AND STAG ANTLER NETSUKE OF A KAPPA PLAYING THE CUCUMBERBy Ryukosai Jugyoku, signed Jugyoku 寿玉Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A humorous wood netsuke of a kappa holding a green-stained stag antler cucumber in both hands, as if playing the biwa, the eyes and fangs inlaid in bone. The details are very finely carved. Himotoshi through the carapace in the back and signed underneath the right leg JUGYOKU.HEIGHT 3.3 cmCondition: Very good condition. The two arms are carved separately to hold the cucumber in place.Provenance: US private collection.Jugyoku was particularly skilled in combining various materials, the kappa holding a green-stained cucumber being one of his favored subjects. The present netsuke depicts this kappa in a particularly amusing and rather unique manner, holding his cucumber like an instrument.According to folklore there are two ways to escape a kappa-encounter unharmed. One is to feed it with a cucumber, which is the kappa's favorite food and the other is to bow, as kappa are exceedingly polite creatures and find it difficult to resist returning a bow. This is a problem for the kappa as the cavity on top of their head retains water, and if damaged or its liquid is lost, the kappa is severely weakened.Auction comparison:A closely related wood netsuke by Gyokusai was sold at Zacke, Asian Art Discoveries, 27 January 2020, Vienna, lot 592 (sold for 5,688 EUR).

KENJI: A RARE MARINE TUSK NETSUKE OF A BAKU AND GHOSTBy Kenji Abe (born 1947), signed Kenji 賢次 to 刀Japan, Tokyo, 20th centuryA superbly carved netsuke depicting an unusual and clever subject – the nightmare-devouring baku encircling its trunk around a cycloptic ghost shrouded in ghastly flames, its long bony fingers hanging downwards and the face with a surprised and terrified expression, evidently caught in the act of appearing in a nightmare. The details such as the baku's curly mane and bushy tail are finely carved, the eyes of both are double inlaid in tortoiseshell and horn. Natural himotoshi and signed to the side of the ghost KENJI to [carved by Kenji].HEIGHT 3.8 cm, LENGTH 3.8 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary.Kenji Abe (born 1947) learned carving from his father Godo. He is versatile in any subject matter and material and is a member of the International Netsuke Carvers Association. His works are, amongst others, in the collection of HIH Prince Takamado (1954-2002).This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

MORIKAWA TOEN: A RARE BAMBOO SASHI NETSUKE OF A GUARDIAN LIONBy Morikawa Toen (1820-1894), signed Morikawa Toen森川 杜園 and kakihanJapan, Nara, second half of 19th centuryPublished: Lazarnick, George (1976) The Signature Book of Netsuke, p. 384Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures, vol. II, p. 1096J. Hawley, article on Gyokkin in the INSJ, 25/2 (2005), illustrated on p. 20, no. 20Atchley, Virginia / Davey, Neil (2006) The Virginia Atchley Collection of Japanese Miniature Arts, p. 88, no. N106.Exhibited: International Netsuke Collectors' Society Convention, Honolulu, 1977Finely carved from a section of bamboo (metake) as a Buddhist Lion raised on a double lotus pedestal, the base with neatly carved flowerheads, the guardian seated on its haunches in a distinctly powerful posture, a large ring handle in its mouth. The design is faithfully copied from an incense burner in the Shoso-in repository in Nara. The natural surface of the material is heightened with clever polishing and staining to replicate the bronze surface. The neatly polished reverse with two himotoshi and the inscription Shosoin hoko heigoro no shishi baku [Copy of handled incense burner of shishi in the Shosoin treasure house] and signed MORIKAWA TOEN with kakihan.HEIGHT 10.4 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: Ex-collection Virginia Atchley, CA.Morikawa Toen's netsuke are rare. Along with his contemporary Kano Tessai (1845-1925), Morikawa Toen (1820-1894) was one of the few artists allowed inside the Shoso-in repository to produce artworks decreed by the Imperial household.Morikawa Toen was known for his Nara ningyo (dolls) sculptures and as a noh actor. His work was admired by the Daimyo of Tosa, the magistrate of Nara, who awarded him with names from Japanese mythology. The Imperial household also became his patrons. He received many prizes throughout his career and was later commissioned by the newly founded Tokyo Imperial Museum to make copies of ancient works of artThe Shoso-in is the treasure house of the Toda-ji temple in Nara, Japan. From the very beginning, the Shoso-in has been sealed by the Imperial family. One was permitted to enter only with explicit permission from the Imperial family. Ninety-five percent of the fine arts and crafts in the Shoso-in were produced in Japan around the 8th century, with the remainder imported from the Tang Dynasty, Central Asia, India, Iran, etc. during the same period. Although these collections are not open to the public, selections are shown at Nara National Museum once a year in autumn.

OKAKOTO: A RARE IVORY NETSUKE OF A RUNNING BOARBy Yamaguchi Okakoto, signed Okakoto 岡言Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved as a galloping boar, its hind legs pushed back, front legs slightly bent, ears drawn back, and body arched, all in a dynamic forward motion. The hairwork is neatly incised and the eyes are inlaid in dark horn. The underside with large, generously excavated himotoshi and the signature within a rectangular reserve OKAKOTO. The ivory bearing a fine patina.LENGTH 5.2 cmCondition: Good condition with expected age cracks and surface wear. The right front leg restored.Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary.Yamaguchi Okakoto, pupil and younger brother of Yamaguchi Okatomo, was a brilliant carver and excelled at carvings of animals. His work is considerably rarer than those of other members of the Oka- school.Literature comparison:A very similar ivory netsuke of a running boar by Okakoto, formerly in the Victor Topper collection, is illustrated in Hurtig, Bernard (1973) Masterpieces of Netsuke Art: One Thousand Favorites of Leading Collectors, no. 747.Auction comparison:Compare to a closely related ivory netsuke of a running boar, unsigned but in the style of Okatomo, sold at Bonhams, Fine Netsuke from the Adrienne Barbanson Collection, 13 May 2013, London, lot 25 (sold for 16,250 GBP). Also compare to a closely related ivory netsuke of a galloping boar, by Okatomo, sold at Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part I, 8 November 2016, London, lot 121 (sold for 5,250 GBP).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0478). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.