39 - YOZAN: A FINE AND RARE WOOD ‘RAKAN AND KIRIN’ KISERUZUTSU (PIPE CASE)

YOZAN: A FINE AND RARE WOOD ‘RAKAN AND KIRIN’ KISERUZUTSU (PIPE CASE) By Yozan, signed Yozan 晹山 with seal Yozan 晹山 Japan, late 19th century Of muso-zutsu form, finely engraved in kebori and katakiribori with an elderly rakan (arhat) standing beside a powerful kirin, dramatically brandishing a long hossu (fly whisk) as though it were a whip while grasping the beast’s horn with his other hand. The rakan is dressed in voluminous robes, his bald head and expressive features rendered with delicate linework. The kirin is powerfully depicted with a horned head, flowing mane, and densely scaled body, while a small attendant at its side holds a lance; together, the figures appear to be subduing the mythical beast. The rim lined in shibuichi, with the cord attachment carved immediately below. Signed YOZAN with a square seal also reading YOZAN. LENGTH 21.2 cm Provenance: Ex-collection Frank Lapisch, Kassel, Germany. The interior containing an old collector’s handwritten note, dated November 1986, providing a brief description of the subject depicted and a reading of the signature. Frank Lapisch (1934-2002) was a German entrepreneur and dedicated netsuke collector who first traveled to Japan in 1960 as a German judo champion. He later founded the Tokyo-based electronics firm Alltec in 1972 while deepening his engagement with Japanese art and craftsmanship. From the late 1970s onward, he pursued the study and acquisition of netsuke with increasing discernment, carefully documenting purchases made at auction houses such as Lempertz and Klefisch. He showed a particular preference for early ‘ur-netsuke,’ prized for their expressive carving and richly developed, glossy wear patina. Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, traces of handling and use, and light surface scratches.