SENSEI: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF RAIJIN AND OKAME IN A BATHTUB
By Sensei, signed Sensei 花押 saku 作
Japan, Hida-Takayama, c. 1800, Edo period (1615-1868)
Boldly and amusingly carved as Raijin, having descended to earth on a cloud, resisting the advances of Okame sitting in a tub, who is trying to drag him down to her, while he makes a gesture with his finger in his mouth akin to a fishhook, perhaps knowing that he will not be able to resist much longer. Large himotoshi underneath and signed within a rectangular reserve SENSEI saku [made by Sensei].
HEIGHT 4.3 cm
Condition: Very good condition, appealingly worn. Fine, dark patina.
Provenance: Ex-collection Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt.
Literature comparison:
A number of closely related wood netsuke by Suketada depicting this motif are recorded. See, for example, one illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 828; another illustrated in Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures, vol. 2, p. 1049; and a third illustrated in Joly, Henri L. (1966) The W. L. Behrens Collection, Part 1, Netsuke, pl. XIX, no. 621.
Lot details
By Sensei, signed Sensei 花押 saku 作
Japan, Hida-Takayama, c. 1800, Edo period (1615-1868)
Boldly and amusingly carved as Raijin, having descended to earth on a cloud, resisting the advances of Okame sitting in a tub, who is trying to drag him down to her, while he makes a gesture with his finger in his mouth akin to a fishhook, perhaps knowing that he will not be able to resist much longer. Large himotoshi underneath and signed within a rectangular reserve SENSEI saku [made by Sensei].
HEIGHT 4.3 cm
Condition: Very good condition, appealingly worn. Fine, dark patina.
Provenance: Ex-collection Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt.
Literature comparison:
A number of closely related wood netsuke by Suketada depicting this motif are recorded. See, for example, one illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 828; another illustrated in Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures, vol. 2, p. 1049; and a third illustrated in Joly, Henri L. (1966) The W. L. Behrens Collection, Part 1, Netsuke, pl. XIX, no. 621.
Sale price
Time, Location
Auction House
By Sensei, signed Sensei 花押 saku 作
Japan, Hida-Takayama, c. 1800, Edo period (1615-1868)
Boldly and amusingly carved as Raijin, having descended to earth on a cloud, resisting the advances of Okame sitting in a tub, who is trying to drag him down to her, while he makes a gesture with his finger in his mouth akin to a fishhook, perhaps knowing that he will not be able to resist much longer. Large himotoshi underneath and signed within a rectangular reserve SENSEI saku [made by Sensei].
HEIGHT 4.3 cm
Condition: Very good condition, appealingly worn. Fine, dark patina.
Provenance: Ex-collection Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt.
Literature comparison:
A number of closely related wood netsuke by Suketada depicting this motif are recorded. See, for example, one illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 828; another illustrated in Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures, vol. 2, p. 1049; and a third illustrated in Joly, Henri L. (1966) The W. L. Behrens Collection, Part 1, Netsuke, pl. XIX, no. 621.
Lot details
By Sensei, signed Sensei 花押 saku 作
Japan, Hida-Takayama, c. 1800, Edo period (1615-1868)
Boldly and amusingly carved as Raijin, having descended to earth on a cloud, resisting the advances of Okame sitting in a tub, who is trying to drag him down to her, while he makes a gesture with his finger in his mouth akin to a fishhook, perhaps knowing that he will not be able to resist much longer. Large himotoshi underneath and signed within a rectangular reserve SENSEI saku [made by Sensei].
HEIGHT 4.3 cm
Condition: Very good condition, appealingly worn. Fine, dark patina.
Provenance: Ex-collection Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt.
Literature comparison:
A number of closely related wood netsuke by Suketada depicting this motif are recorded. See, for example, one illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 828; another illustrated in Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures, vol. 2, p. 1049; and a third illustrated in Joly, Henri L. (1966) The W. L. Behrens Collection, Part 1, Netsuke, pl. XIX, no. 621.
Sale price
Time, Location
Auction House
