5th Dec, 2025 10:00
Fine Japanese Art
385
Ɏ KAJIKAWA: A SUPERB FOUR-CASE INLAID GOLD-LACQUER INRO SET WITH MINAMOTO NO YOSHITSUNE BESIDE A CHERRY TREE
€3,000
€6,000
A buyer’s premium of 30.00% (including VAT) applies to the hammer price of this lot if your bid is successful.
By a member of the Kajikawa family, signed Kajikawa saku 梶川作 with the pot-seal mark Ei 英
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
The inro, of upright rectangular form and oval section, bearing a lustrous roiro ground delicately sprinkled with gold e-nashiji, finely inlaid in mother-of-pearl, and lacquered in iro-e takamaki-e and hiramaki-e, to depict a continuous scene with the samurai Minamoto no Yoshitsune, clad in armor, with a long bow and a quiver of arrows on his back, kneeling beside a blossoming cherry (sakura) tree. A poem slip hangs from one of its branches, blown gently by the wind. The trunk of the tree superbly detailed in gold kirigane, as is the ground beneath the warrior and the clouds drifting across the scene. The interior cases of vibrant nashiji and gold fundame rims. Signed to the bottom case with gold characters KAJIKAWA saku [made by Kajikawa] and bearing the pot-seal Ei.
With a lacquered ojime, fitted with gilt metal mounts and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, to depict additional cherry blossoms. A two-part ivory manju netsuke, finely carved in kebori and katakiribori on one side with the legendary warrior-monk Musashibo Benkei, attired in battle dress and kneeling as he writes on a votive plaque (ema), and on the reverse, carved in shishiaibori, with Yoshitsune partly concealed behind an open fan. Central himotoshi through the back, the cord attachment within.
HEIGHT 7.7 cm, LENGTH 6.6 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and light traces of use. Expected losses to kirigane and a small ding to the bottom case.
Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159–1189) served as a commander of the Minamoto clan during the late Heian and early Kamakura periods. He played a central role in the Genpei War, leading a series of decisive campaigns that destroyed the Ise-Heishi branch of the Taira clan and allowed his half-brother Yoritomo to consolidate power. Recognized as one of the greatest and most celebrated warriors of Japan, Yoshitsune died tragically after betrayal by the son of a trusted ally. His life and exploits appear in The Tale of the Heike (Heike Monogatari) and The Rise and Fall of the Genji and the Heike (Genpei Seisui-ki), but The Annals of Yoshitsune (Gikei-ki) had the greatest influence on spreading his legend, which inspired later Noh and Kabuki theater performances. The great popularity of the legend of Yoshitsune also made him a popular subject for ukiyo-e painting and woodblock prints throughout the Edo period.
The scenes on the present inro and netsuke depict moments from Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees (Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura), one of the most famous plays in the Kabuki repertoire. The play, created in 1747 for the Joruri puppet theater by Takeda Izumo II, Miyoshi Shoraku, and Namiki Senryu I, was adapted to Kabuki the following year. Drawing from The Tale of the Heike, it narrates the fall of the Taira clan and the triumph of Minamoto forces led by Yoshitsune, celebrating the deeds of the heroic yet ill-fated general.
Trade Certificate: In accordance with new EU regulations that went into effect in January 2022, we have applied for a certificate to sell this item within the EU. We expect the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology to issue the certificate in 2-3 weeks. The item can only be shipped / handed over once the certificate has been issued.
By a member of the Kajikawa family, signed Kajikawa saku 梶川作 with the pot-seal mark Ei 英
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
The inro, of upright rectangular form and oval section, bearing a lustrous roiro ground delicately sprinkled with gold e-nashiji, finely inlaid in mother-of-pearl, and lacquered in iro-e takamaki-e and hiramaki-e, to depict a continuous scene with the samurai Minamoto no Yoshitsune, clad in armor, with a long bow and a quiver of arrows on his back, kneeling beside a blossoming cherry (sakura) tree. A poem slip hangs from one of its branches, blown gently by the wind. The trunk of the tree superbly detailed in gold kirigane, as is the ground beneath the warrior and the clouds drifting across the scene. The interior cases of vibrant nashiji and gold fundame rims. Signed to the bottom case with gold characters KAJIKAWA saku [made by Kajikawa] and bearing the pot-seal Ei.
With a lacquered ojime, fitted with gilt metal mounts and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, to depict additional cherry blossoms. A two-part ivory manju netsuke, finely carved in kebori and katakiribori on one side with the legendary warrior-monk Musashibo Benkei, attired in battle dress and kneeling as he writes on a votive plaque (ema), and on the reverse, carved in shishiaibori, with Yoshitsune partly concealed behind an open fan. Central himotoshi through the back, the cord attachment within.
HEIGHT 7.7 cm, LENGTH 6.6 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and light traces of use. Expected losses to kirigane and a small ding to the bottom case.
Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159–1189) served as a commander of the Minamoto clan during the late Heian and early Kamakura periods. He played a central role in the Genpei War, leading a series of decisive campaigns that destroyed the Ise-Heishi branch of the Taira clan and allowed his half-brother Yoritomo to consolidate power. Recognized as one of the greatest and most celebrated warriors of Japan, Yoshitsune died tragically after betrayal by the son of a trusted ally. His life and exploits appear in The Tale of the Heike (Heike Monogatari) and The Rise and Fall of the Genji and the Heike (Genpei Seisui-ki), but The Annals of Yoshitsune (Gikei-ki) had the greatest influence on spreading his legend, which inspired later Noh and Kabuki theater performances. The great popularity of the legend of Yoshitsune also made him a popular subject for ukiyo-e painting and woodblock prints throughout the Edo period.
The scenes on the present inro and netsuke depict moments from Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees (Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura), one of the most famous plays in the Kabuki repertoire. The play, created in 1747 for the Joruri puppet theater by Takeda Izumo II, Miyoshi Shoraku, and Namiki Senryu I, was adapted to Kabuki the following year. Drawing from The Tale of the Heike, it narrates the fall of the Taira clan and the triumph of Minamoto forces led by Yoshitsune, celebrating the deeds of the heroic yet ill-fated general.
Trade Certificate: In accordance with new EU regulations that went into effect in January 2022, we have applied for a certificate to sell this item within the EU. We expect the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology to issue the certificate in 2-3 weeks. The item can only be shipped / handed over once the certificate has been issued.
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Auction: Fine Japanese Art, 5th Dec, 2025
We're delighted to present Fine Japanese Art — a live auction featuring 600 exceptional lots that span every era of Japan’s rich artistic heritage.
The first 360 lots are featured in our printed catalog, beginning with Bronzes & Meiji metalwork, including a superb selection of silver works and notable pieces by celebrated masters such as Kitagawa Hokusen I and Jomi Eisuke II. These are followed by an outstanding group of samurai artworks, showcasing works by the Myochin family, intricate jizai okimono, exquisite tsuba from the Kotler Collection, and a distinguished array of armors, helmets, and swords. Learn more.
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28 November - 4 December 2025
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