Attributed to Kaigyokusai Masatsugu (1813-1892), unsigned
Japan, Osaka, second half of the 19^th century

Published:
Joly, Henri L. (1912) The W. L. Behrens Collection, Part 1, Netsuke, no. 1283 and illustrated on pl. XXIV.
Weber, V. -F. (1965), Koji Hoten, illustrated on pl. XXXII, no. 9. (La Chevre de Koshohei).
Zacke (1985) Netsuke und Inro aus Japan, no. 38 and illustrated on the cover.

A masterfully carved, gem-like ivory netsuke, sculpted from pure-white tokata ivory and enhanced with sumi for striking contrast, depicting a goat caught mid-transformation, referencing the legend of Koshohei, who wielded the power to turn rocks into goats. The mythical creature’s fur is rendered with exceptional detail, its short beard grazing the rock beneath. Ingeniously, the craggy texture of the stone seamlessly merges with the finely incised fur, creating a mesmerizing interplay of texture and form. The underside reveals two meticulously carved feet, tucked beneath the body for compactness. The eyes, inlaid with bright-red amber and dark horn pupils, lend the figure a vivid, almost lifelike presence. Two small himotoshi are discreetly positioned at the back and underside.

LENGTH 3.8 cm

Condition: Excellent condition with very minor wear and a few tiny hairline age cracks.
Provenance: Ex-collection W. L. Behrens (1861-1913). Zacke, Netsuke und Inro aus Japan, no. 38. An Austrian private collection, acquired from the above.

Kaigyokusai has interpreted the goat emerging from the rock in his own way — without any pathos, yet in a quietly magnificent manner. The structure of the rock is not so rigid that it would not harmonize with a particularly shaggy coat; the transition between the appearance of both materials is masterfully executed. The rock transforms into fur, and vice versa.

The enlarged color image on the cover of the catalog shows the same phenomenon that is characteristic of Kaigyokusai’s work. With an eminently confident and clear form, the viewer’s gaze is drawn all the more to the inner life present in truly astonishing quality.

Since the execution is altogether delicate, even minimal movements significantly alter the composition, such as the extremely sensitively rendered lines around the inlaid eyes. These are positioned in an almost perfect manner, dominating the entire expression. They define the entire expression, appearing minuscule and subtle, yet undeniably intentional, forming the very essence of this masterpiece.

Koshohei is a sennin based on the Chinese Daoist immortal Wong Tai Sin, known also as the Red Pine Immortal, who had the power to turn rocks into goats. He is the divine form of Huang Chuping (c. 328-386), a Daoist hermit from Jinhua during the Eastern Jin dynasty. When he withdrew into a cave for years of meditation, his brother sought him out, found him, and was astonished to see no trace of his goats. Koshohei simply touched the rock with his staff, and immediately, a goat grew from it. He repeated this until his entire herd stood around him.

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a recumbent goat by the same artist, signed Kaigyokusai, at Bonhams, The Harrriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art, 8 November 2011, London, lot 142 (sold for GBP 23,750, or approx. EUR 41,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).

Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0196).