4th Nov, 2022 13:00

Fine Netsuke & Sagemono

 
Lot 155
 

155

MEIKEI: A MASTERFUL CONTEMPORARY WOOD NETSUKE OF ‘SONEZAKI SHINJU’ (LOVER’S SUICIDE)

Sold for €7,150

including Buyer's Premium


Lot details

By Shigeru Takayama (Seihosai Meikei, born 1932), signed Seihosai Meikei聖峯齋明恵
Japan, c. 1990

Published: Illustrated on the front and back cover of Michael Spindel Ltd., An Exhibition of Contemporary Netsuke and Ojime, 1991, New York, and on p. 21, no. 32.

Masterfully carved, depicting the iconic scene of ‘Sonezaki Shinju’ (The Love Suicides at Sonezaki), with Tokubei thrusting a razor into Ohatsu’s throat, his face distorted with anguish, while she holds prayer beads in her folded hands, looking up into his eyes pleadingly. Their robes are rendered with remarkably fine details, the folds suggesting life-like movement. The razor is carved from mammoth tusk, the eyes are double inlaid in shell. Natural himotoshi through a fold in the robe, signed SEIHOSAI MEIKEI.

HEIGHT 7.8 cm

Condition: Excellent condition, minor wear.
Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary, purchased from Michael Strone.

Seihosai Meikei, born as Shigeru Takayama in 1932 in Kyoto prefecture, studied carving netsuke under Meigyokusai for over twenty years. His preferred material is wood, often embellished with intricate inlays. Meikei is especially known for his dramatic scenes of lesser-known legends, plays, and novels. The present netsuke is arguably his masterpiece.

The Love Suicides at Sonezaki is the most famous and best-loved play by Chikamatsu. It was first staged in 1703, based on a real, recent event, and instantly became a big hit. It remains one of the most popular plays in bunraku. The Love Suicides at Sonezaki was the first play by Chikamatsu that was exclusively written to be played by puppets, but due to the popularity of the play, it has since been adapted to kabuki, movies, modern plays, and even comic books.

#contemporary highlight

 

By Shigeru Takayama (Seihosai Meikei, born 1932), signed Seihosai Meikei聖峯齋明恵
Japan, c. 1990

Published: Illustrated on the front and back cover of Michael Spindel Ltd., An Exhibition of Contemporary Netsuke and Ojime, 1991, New York, and on p. 21, no. 32.

Masterfully carved, depicting the iconic scene of ‘Sonezaki Shinju’ (The Love Suicides at Sonezaki), with Tokubei thrusting a razor into Ohatsu’s throat, his face distorted with anguish, while she holds prayer beads in her folded hands, looking up into his eyes pleadingly. Their robes are rendered with remarkably fine details, the folds suggesting life-like movement. The razor is carved from mammoth tusk, the eyes are double inlaid in shell. Natural himotoshi through a fold in the robe, signed SEIHOSAI MEIKEI.

HEIGHT 7.8 cm

Condition: Excellent condition, minor wear.
Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary, purchased from Michael Strone.

Seihosai Meikei, born as Shigeru Takayama in 1932 in Kyoto prefecture, studied carving netsuke under Meigyokusai for over twenty years. His preferred material is wood, often embellished with intricate inlays. Meikei is especially known for his dramatic scenes of lesser-known legends, plays, and novels. The present netsuke is arguably his masterpiece.

The Love Suicides at Sonezaki is the most famous and best-loved play by Chikamatsu. It was first staged in 1703, based on a real, recent event, and instantly became a big hit. It remains one of the most popular plays in bunraku. The Love Suicides at Sonezaki was the first play by Chikamatsu that was exclusively written to be played by puppets, but due to the popularity of the play, it has since been adapted to kabuki, movies, modern plays, and even comic books.

#contemporary highlight

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