A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF INO HAYATA AND MINAMOTO YORIMASA KILLING THE NUE
A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF INO HAYATA AND MINAMOTO YORIMASA KILLING THE NUE
Unsigned
Japan, Edo (Tokyo), early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Finely carved with the two figures standing over the wild nue, Hayata placing his knee on the back of the monster and dealing the killing blow with his sword as the creature's snake tail deals a final vengeful bite to the hat of the hero. Yorimasa, the archer who struck down the beast in the Emperor's palace, stands proudly next to Hayata with his bow by his side, having already fetched his arrow from the felled monster. Good, asymmetrical himotoshi through the back of Yorimasa.
HEIGHT 4.6 cm
Condition: Very good condition with only minor wear.
Provenance: Collection of ambassador Joseph Raymond Baylin de Monbel, and thence by descent in the same family. Joseph Raymond Baylin de Monbel (1846-1917) was the French ambassador to Tangier, London, and the Netherlands in the late 19th century.
This netsuke illustrates a popular legend of the nue monster that had terrorized the building in which the Emperor slept until it was killed one night by the noted archer Minamoto Yorimasa (1106–1180) and Ino Hayata (dates unknown). Emperor Konoe (1139-1155) had become ill due to a strange presence heralded by a black cloud over the palace. The warrior Minamoto Yorimasa was sent to investigate and discovered a peculiar creature, called a nue. The monster had the face of a monkey, body of a tiger, and the tail of a snake. The poet warrior wounded the creature which was subsequently killed by Hayata. Yorimasa's actions won him the court lady Ayame no Mae, who the Emperor gave him in marriage for ridding the capital of the menacing beast.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related ivory netsuke of Yorimasa and Hataya killing the nue, at Lempertz, Asian Art, 11 December 2021, Cologne, lot 318 (sold for EUR 2,750).
Sale price
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF INO HAYATA AND MINAMOTO YORIMASA KILLING THE NUE
Unsigned
Japan, Edo (Tokyo), early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Finely carved with the two figures standing over the wild nue, Hayata placing his knee on the back of the monster and dealing the killing blow with his sword as the creature's snake tail deals a final vengeful bite to the hat of the hero. Yorimasa, the archer who struck down the beast in the Emperor's palace, stands proudly next to Hayata with his bow by his side, having already fetched his arrow from the felled monster. Good, asymmetrical himotoshi through the back of Yorimasa.
HEIGHT 4.6 cm
Condition: Very good condition with only minor wear.
Provenance: Collection of ambassador Joseph Raymond Baylin de Monbel, and thence by descent in the same family. Joseph Raymond Baylin de Monbel (1846-1917) was the French ambassador to Tangier, London, and the Netherlands in the late 19th century.
This netsuke illustrates a popular legend of the nue monster that had terrorized the building in which the Emperor slept until it was killed one night by the noted archer Minamoto Yorimasa (1106–1180) and Ino Hayata (dates unknown). Emperor Konoe (1139-1155) had become ill due to a strange presence heralded by a black cloud over the palace. The warrior Minamoto Yorimasa was sent to investigate and discovered a peculiar creature, called a nue. The monster had the face of a monkey, body of a tiger, and the tail of a snake. The poet warrior wounded the creature which was subsequently killed by Hayata. Yorimasa's actions won him the court lady Ayame no Mae, who the Emperor gave him in marriage for ridding the capital of the menacing beast.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related ivory netsuke of Yorimasa and Hataya killing the nue, at Lempertz, Asian Art, 11 December 2021, Cologne, lot 318 (sold for EUR 2,750).
Sale price
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
