237 - EGAWA SOKOKU: A SUPERB INLAID WOOD NETSUKE OF AN UNAGI CHEF

EGAWA SOKOKU: A SUPERB INLAID WOOD NETSUKE OF AN UNAGI CHEF By Egawa Sokoku (b. 1920), signed Sokoku 藻谷 Japan, Tokyo, mid-20 th century Finely carved as an unagi chef kneeling over a low cutting board, intently preparing a wriggling eel that twists and squirms beneath his hand. He wears voluminous robes finely incised with chrysanthemum (kiku) blossoms. The compact composition is enriched with numerous inlaid details, including green-stained bone vegetables on the cutting board, a silvered-metal blade with a boxwood handle, a gilt clip to the front of the cutting board. Attached to the reverse are a tobacco pouch, kiseruzutsu, and ashtray netsuke, inlaid in pale boxwood, together forming a complete smoking set. Ringed himotoshi to the underside and signed SOKOKU. HEIGHT 3.6 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Egawa Sokoku (b. 1920) was a distinguished carver of the So school, renowned for his versatility and masterful use of a wide range of materials. He trained under Morita Soko (1879–1942), the foremost pupil of Miyazaki Joso (1835–1910), the founder of the influential So school in Tokyo. Through this direct lineage, Sokoku inherited a tradition characterized by technical refinement. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related inlaid wood netsuke of a cook slicing an eel by the same artist, signed Sokoku, 3.8 cm high, illustrated in Coullery, Marie-Therese / Newstead, Martin S. (1977) The Baur Collection, pp. 212-213, no. C560. Auction comparison: For another work by the artist, similarly carved with fine inlays, depicting a musician, 5.5 cm high, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 8 May 2026, Vienna, lot 295 (sold for EUR 9,100).