SHUGYOKU: AN INLAID IVORY NETSUKE OF JIZO AND A NIO WRESTLING ON A LOTUS LEAF
By Shugyoku (also known as Shugyokusai or Hidetama), signed Shugyoku 秀玉
Japan, Osaka, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)
A dynamically crafted and finely stained ivory netsuke depicting Jizo Bosatsu and a Nio wrestling on top of a lotus leaf. The urna of Jizo is inlaid with mother-of-pearl and the shorts and arm-bracelets of the Nio are inlaid with bone and metal. Himotoshi through the stem of the leaf on the underside and signed SHUGYOKU.
Jizo is a bodhisattva, patron of deceased children and has the ability to open the gates of hell. He is typically shown wrestling on top of a lotus leaf with some of the inhabitants of hell, be it an oni, a gaki, Emma-o or in this case a Nio.
HEIGHT 3.3 cm, LENGTH 3.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition, minor expected wear to staining.
Provenance: British collection.
Lot details
By Shugyoku (also known as Shugyokusai or Hidetama), signed Shugyoku 秀玉
Japan, Osaka, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)
A dynamically crafted and finely stained ivory netsuke depicting Jizo Bosatsu and a Nio wrestling on top of a lotus leaf. The urna of Jizo is inlaid with mother-of-pearl and the shorts and arm-bracelets of the Nio are inlaid with bone and metal. Himotoshi through the stem of the leaf on the underside and signed SHUGYOKU.
Jizo is a bodhisattva, patron of deceased children and has the ability to open the gates of hell. He is typically shown wrestling on top of a lotus leaf with some of the inhabitants of hell, be it an oni, a gaki, Emma-o or in this case a Nio.
HEIGHT 3.3 cm, LENGTH 3.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition, minor expected wear to staining.
Provenance: British collection.
Sale price
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Auction House
By Shugyoku (also known as Shugyokusai or Hidetama), signed Shugyoku 秀玉
Japan, Osaka, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)
A dynamically crafted and finely stained ivory netsuke depicting Jizo Bosatsu and a Nio wrestling on top of a lotus leaf. The urna of Jizo is inlaid with mother-of-pearl and the shorts and arm-bracelets of the Nio are inlaid with bone and metal. Himotoshi through the stem of the leaf on the underside and signed SHUGYOKU.
Jizo is a bodhisattva, patron of deceased children and has the ability to open the gates of hell. He is typically shown wrestling on top of a lotus leaf with some of the inhabitants of hell, be it an oni, a gaki, Emma-o or in this case a Nio.
HEIGHT 3.3 cm, LENGTH 3.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition, minor expected wear to staining.
Provenance: British collection.
Lot details
By Shugyoku (also known as Shugyokusai or Hidetama), signed Shugyoku 秀玉
Japan, Osaka, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)
A dynamically crafted and finely stained ivory netsuke depicting Jizo Bosatsu and a Nio wrestling on top of a lotus leaf. The urna of Jizo is inlaid with mother-of-pearl and the shorts and arm-bracelets of the Nio are inlaid with bone and metal. Himotoshi through the stem of the leaf on the underside and signed SHUGYOKU.
Jizo is a bodhisattva, patron of deceased children and has the ability to open the gates of hell. He is typically shown wrestling on top of a lotus leaf with some of the inhabitants of hell, be it an oni, a gaki, Emma-o or in this case a Nio.
HEIGHT 3.3 cm, LENGTH 3.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition, minor expected wear to staining.
Provenance: British collection.
