219 - Ɏ TOMOCHIKA: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF BUKAN AND THE TIGER

Ɏ TOMOCHIKA: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF BUKAN AND THE TIGER By a member of the Tomochika school, signed Tomochika 友親 Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved as the Zen monk Bukan seated upon a recumbent tiger, one hand resting affectionately on the animal’s head while the other holds a ritual sceptre. The bald monk wears voluminous robes finely incised with delicate patterns and bears a gentle, knowing smile, while the tiger gazes outward with a wonderfully quizzical expression. The animal’s powerful body is covered with finely incised and sumi-stained fur. Himotoshi underneath and signed TOMOCHIKA within a polished wavy reserve. The ivory with a fine, warm, honey-yellow patina. LENGTH 3.5 cm Condition: An old chip to the sceptre. Otherwise very good condition with minor wear and expected age cracks. Bukan, known in China as Fenggan, was a semi-legendary Chan monk associated with Guoqing Temple on Mount Tiantai and is traditionally said to have arrived there riding a tiger. The animal became his defining attribute, symbolizing the power of Buddhist wisdom to tame even the fiercest nature; together with Kanzan and Jittoku, Bukan and the tiger also form the celebrated subject of the Four Sleepers. Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number 2026/BE00024/CE). 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.