82 - Ɏ A SUPERB TALL IVORY NETSUKE OF SHOKI AND AN ONI, ATTRIBUTED TO HIDEMASA I

Ɏ A SUPERB TALL IVORY NETSUKE OF SHOKI AND AN ONI, ATTRIBUTED TO HIDEMASA I Attributed to Shuosai Hidemasa I, unsigned Japan, Osaka, late 18 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Superbly and boldly carved as Shoki, the demon queller, standing in a dramatically animated pose with one leg crossed before the other, holding his metal-inlaid sword in one hand while reaching upward with the other to grasp the leg of a mischievous oni clambering over the brim of his broad hat. The little demon leans forward to peer down at Shoki, their gazes meeting in a wonderfully comic confrontation. Shoki is dressed in voluminous robes falling in deeply carved, overlapping folds and finely engraved with scrolling karakusa, the hems bordered with geometric designs. His powerful face is framed by thick locks and a finely incised beard, the fierce expression heightened by sharply arched brows, bared teeth, and large eyes with dark horn-inlaid pupils. The oni is equally animated, its grinning face and hunched posture providing a humorous counterpoint to the stern demon queller below. Beautiful, large asymmetrical himotoshi to the back. HEIGHT 9.6 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and expected age cracks. The inlaid sword is replaced. The present netsuke displays numerous characteristics associated with Shuosai Hidemasa I and is confidently attributed to his hand. Particularly characteristic are the rich staining, finely engraved karakusa ornament covering the robes, dark horn-inlaid pupils, boldly modeled features, and pronounced sense of humor. Equally typical is the extraordinary movement of the composition: Shoki’s legs cross dramatically as he twists upward toward the oni, while the demon leans over the hat to meet his gaze. Despite the unusually tall format, the carving remains remarkably compact and unified, culminating in the amusing exchange of glances between the two protagonists. The work also reveals the close stylistic affinities that existed between the Osaka and Kyoto traditions. Hidemasa’s own oeuvre demonstrates such an engagement with Kyoto carving, as he is known to have produced netsuke bearing the name Masanao. The closely related treatment of Shoki and oni in the Rantei-school example cited below therefore provides an especially interesting Kyoto parallel. Museum comparison: Compare a related ivory netsuke of Shoki and a demon, attributed to the School of Nagai Rantei, with staining, sumi, and inlays, dated to the mid- to late 19th century, 6.5 cm high, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection, accession number M.91.250.61. Although belonging to the Kyoto tradition and of somewhat later date, the remarkably similar conception of the subject provides an instructive comparison and illustrates the close stylistic dialogue between Kyoto and Osaka figural carving. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of Shoki and oni by Hidemasa, signed Hidemasa, 11.4 cm tall, illustrated on the cover of Netsuke Kenkyukai Study Journal, issue no. 1, April 1980. Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2506900788-K). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.