A RARE AND LARGE IVORY SEAL NETSUKE OF YOJO AND CHO BUJUTSU
A RARE AND LARGE IVORY SEAL NETSUKE OF YOJO AND CHO BUJUTSU
Unsigned
Japan, mid-18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Barry Davies Oriental Art, Chicago 1999, no. 17,
An exceptionally well-carved, dynamic, and large ivory seal netsuke with a rare depiction of Cho Bujutsu on horseback passing down his cloak to Yojo on the ground, the horse's feet standing on a base with a finely decorated edge. The expressions convey the scene very well, as Cho hands down the cloak with a spirited and taunting demeanor to his sorrowful rival, the horse lifting its head and neighing triumphantly. The horse has both of its right legs lifted, the garments are flowing - it appears as if Cho is simply passing by to hand over the cloak - all of this lends movement to this exceptional seal netsuke, which is quite a feat as ingyo netsuke are usually rather static. The underside is cut with a five-character seal in mirror image which was interpreted as translating: "reverent saint near to paradise" - probably referring to Yojo who subsequently stabbed the cloak given to him by Cho and then committed an honorable suicide. Himotoshi through the side and underside of the horse's saddle. Fine yellowish patina.
HEIGHT 6 cm, LENGTH 4.7 cm
Condition: Very good condition. Fine age cracks and surface wear.
Provenance: Belgian private collection, acquired from Barry Davies in 1999.
The story of Cho Bujutsu and Yojo is described in Henri L. Joly, Legend in Japanese Art, p. 569. Yojo (in Chinese Yu Jang) wanted to avenge the death of his master by the hands of Cho Bujutsu. Several futile attempts ended up with Yojo begging for Cho's royal mantle, which he then stabbed into shreds with his sword as a token of his revenge. Afterwards Yojo killed himself as he could no longer live under the same heaven as his rival.
Literature comparison:
Another netsuke of the same subject, also showing Cho Bujutsu on horseback, is illustrated in Karl M. Schwarz (1992) Netsuke Subjects, no. 132. Automatically translated by DeepL. To see the original version, click here.
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A RARE AND LARGE IVORY SEAL NETSUKE OF YOJO AND CHO BUJUTSU
Unsigned
Japan, mid-18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Barry Davies Oriental Art, Chicago 1999, no. 17,
An exceptionally well-carved, dynamic, and large ivory seal netsuke with a rare depiction of Cho Bujutsu on horseback passing down his cloak to Yojo on the ground, the horse's feet standing on a base with a finely decorated edge. The expressions convey the scene very well, as Cho hands down the cloak with a spirited and taunting demeanor to his sorrowful rival, the horse lifting its head and neighing triumphantly. The horse has both of its right legs lifted, the garments are flowing - it appears as if Cho is simply passing by to hand over the cloak - all of this lends movement to this exceptional seal netsuke, which is quite a feat as ingyo netsuke are usually rather static. The underside is cut with a five-character seal in mirror image which was interpreted as translating: "reverent saint near to paradise" - probably referring to Yojo who subsequently stabbed the cloak given to him by Cho and then committed an honorable suicide. Himotoshi through the side and underside of the horse's saddle. Fine yellowish patina.
HEIGHT 6 cm, LENGTH 4.7 cm
Condition: Very good condition. Fine age cracks and surface wear.
Provenance: Belgian private collection, acquired from Barry Davies in 1999.
The story of Cho Bujutsu and Yojo is described in Henri L. Joly, Legend in Japanese Art, p. 569. Yojo (in Chinese Yu Jang) wanted to avenge the death of his master by the hands of Cho Bujutsu. Several futile attempts ended up with Yojo begging for Cho's royal mantle, which he then stabbed into shreds with his sword as a token of his revenge. Afterwards Yojo killed himself as he could no longer live under the same heaven as his rival.
Literature comparison:
Another netsuke of the same subject, also showing Cho Bujutsu on horseback, is illustrated in Karl M. Schwarz (1992) Netsuke Subjects, no. 132. Automatically translated by DeepL. To see the original version, click here.
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Time, Location
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