GYOKKOSAI: A HUMOROUS WOOD NETSUKE OF RAIJIN TAKING A SMOKE BREAK
GYOKKOSAI: A HUMOROUS WOOD NETSUKE OF RAIJIN TAKING A SMOKE BREAK
By Gyokkosai, signed Gyokko 玉光
Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
The muscular god of raging thunder taking a much-earned smoke break, sitting cross-legged on his drum, holding a kiseru (pipe) to his mouth. His tobacco pouch, resting in front of him, attached to a netsuke and ojime, is inscribed with the phrase 'hi yoshin' ('beware of fire'). The expression of Raijin is amusing, his double-inlaid eyes widened by the plume of smoke extracted into his lungs. The studs to the rim of the drum and the himotoshi rings to the underside are inlaid in dark horn. Signed within a recessed oval reserve GYOKKO – Gyokkosai, who occasionally signed Gyokko, was a pupil of Ikkosai Saito Itaro.
HEIGHT 4.4 cm
Condition: Good condition with wear, a small repair to the end of the pipe and a crack to the side of the drum. The separately carved figure of Raijin has been re-stuck to the drum.
Provenance: C. H. W. Mander collection. Sotheby's London, 2 December 1930, lot 92. Collection of Frederick Meinertzhagen. French private collection, acquired from the above.
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GYOKKOSAI: A HUMOROUS WOOD NETSUKE OF RAIJIN TAKING A SMOKE BREAK
By Gyokkosai, signed Gyokko 玉光
Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
The muscular god of raging thunder taking a much-earned smoke break, sitting cross-legged on his drum, holding a kiseru (pipe) to his mouth. His tobacco pouch, resting in front of him, attached to a netsuke and ojime, is inscribed with the phrase 'hi yoshin' ('beware of fire'). The expression of Raijin is amusing, his double-inlaid eyes widened by the plume of smoke extracted into his lungs. The studs to the rim of the drum and the himotoshi rings to the underside are inlaid in dark horn. Signed within a recessed oval reserve GYOKKO – Gyokkosai, who occasionally signed Gyokko, was a pupil of Ikkosai Saito Itaro.
HEIGHT 4.4 cm
Condition: Good condition with wear, a small repair to the end of the pipe and a crack to the side of the drum. The separately carved figure of Raijin has been re-stuck to the drum.
Provenance: C. H. W. Mander collection. Sotheby's London, 2 December 1930, lot 92. Collection of Frederick Meinertzhagen. French private collection, acquired from the above.
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
