Anonymous

Meiji period, 19th century

1868-1912

Netsuke

Pressed Ox horn ryūsa type netsuke depicting a samurai fighting a tiger on the front face and bamboo forest on the reverse surrounded by a cloud border.

The image seems to be depicting the print by Utagawa Toyokuni I (1769-1825) of Bando Mitsugoro as a Samurai Subduing a Tiger, 1810’s. Over many generations the well-known kabuki actor, Bando Mitsugoro has passed on his name to the 21st century. The warrior he is representing is Watonai.

The story of Watonai the tiger warrior is well known. Watonai was both Chinese and Japanese of mixed heritage, he wanted to reinstate china’s ming dynasty while the invading Manchu’s caused china mayhem.

A lacquer kobako box in the collection has almost the same image. The only difference is the samurai’s foot is not on the tiger its self, this is most likely because it is so small it would obscure the tiger image.

Unsigned

45mm x 47mm

Anonymous

Late Edo / Meiji period, 18/19th century

1615-1912

Netsuke

Stained stag antler netsuke in the form of a bat (komori) with red amber eyes. Bats in japan can be found in many forms of art representing long life and luck.

Unsigned

32mm x 29mm

Anonymous

Edo / Meiji period 19/20th century

1800-1912

Netsuke

A red tsuishu lacquer netsuke in the form of a Gourd. Carved into the netsuke are children playing on a coastline with a dog surrounded by rocks and trees. The metal cap can be removed possibly to contain something inside. A metal collar and two rings in the middle are for the string of a Sagemono to be attached.

48mm x 29mm

Shozan and Shibayama saku

late Edo/Meiji period, 18/19th century

1615-1912

Manju

Gold lacquer manju netsuke depicting a noh actor in shishiguchi role, a gold kinji ground with red lacquer and gold takamakie. details of the face and hands in ivory and feet in mother of pearl.

Signed Shozan and Shibayama saku

37mm x 37mm

Anonymous

Late Edo period, 18/19th century

1615-1912

Netsuke

Mixed metal copper alloy and gold Kagamibuta on an ivory disk. Depicting a Japanese man dressed in a kimono hitting a drum while singing at the moon. Very similar subject to that seen in Yoshitoshi's 100 Aspects of the Moon prints.

Unsigned

42mm x 42mm

Tomokazu

Late Edo period, 19th century

1800-43

Netsuke

This tiny netsuke is of a Hare. It is made of ivory and has the finest amber eyes. Anatomically accurate and beautifully observed with fine detail even to the toes on his paws. it is small for most netsuke and seems to be signed by Tomokuza who specialized in zodiac animals. It must be said that Tomokuza mostly worked in boxwood and so could be questionable nonetheless a wonderful example.

Signed Tomokazu

24mm x 14mm

Anonymous

Late Edo period, 18/19th century

1615-1868

Netsuke

Boxwood and lacquer netsuke in the form of a puppy. A very endearing look has been given to this sweet little puppy.

41mm x 32mm

Unsigned

Anonymous

Meiji period, 19th century

1868-1912

Netsuke

A box wood netsuke in the form of a shishi lion head mask. The lion head mask is worn around new years celebrations to wish luck to people. The dancer would often bite onlookers in a gesture of good luck often biting the head.

Unsigned

43mm x 25mm

Bokuzan

Anonymous

Edo period 19th century

1800-1868

Netsuke

A wood and lacquer netsuke in the form of an awabi snail also known as abalone. The shell surface has seaweed in a green and gold lacquer and perfectly simulated lacquered flesh representing the sea snail’s foot.

Signed Bokuzan

Size 45mm x 35mm