4 - † SANJI AND GOSHIN: A MASSIVE (76.5 CM) BRONZE KORO (INCENSE BURNER) OF A MINOGAME AND NESTING CRANES ON MOUNT HORAI

† SANJI AND GOSHIN: A MASSIVE (76.5 CM) BRONZE KORO (INCENSE BURNER) OF A MINOGAME AND NESTING CRANES ON MOUNT HORAI By Miyoshi Sanji (Miyoshi Mitsuharu) and Matsuzawa Goshin I, signed Imoji, takuetsu gino hojisha, Sanji, Goshin with seals Sanji and Goshin Japan, Takaoka city, Toyama prefecture, first half of the 20 th century, Showa period (1926-1989) Finely cast in eight parts, depicting a minogame standing foursquare with its front legs bent, its head slightly raised and turned, the fierce mouth open to reveal sharp teeth. The mythical beast supports turtles perched on rockwork, rising to a tree trunk with finely textured, dragon-scale-like bark, surmounted by an elaborate nest of intertwined twigs containing four eggs and two finely modeled cranes. The nest is ingeniously reticulated, allowing incense smoke to rise gracefully between the two cranes. The whole framed by finely cast branches of pine and plum. The bronze inscribed: Imoji, takuetsu gino hojisha, Sanji, Goshin with seals Sanji and Goshin [cast metal artists, holders of excellence in skills, Sanji and Goshin]. HEIGHT 76.5 cm WEIGHT 31 kg Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and casting irregularities. Tiny nicks, few small dents and light surface scratches. Mount Horai, also known in Chinese as Mount Penglai, is a legendary land of Chinese mythology, located at the eastern end of Bohai Sea, where immortals reside. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related bronze okimono by the same artists, signed Imoji, takuetsu gino hojisha, Sanji, Goshin with seals Sanji and Goshin, dated first half of the 20 th century, 77 cm high, at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 13 June 2025, lot 5 (sold for EUR 7,800). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.