7th Nov, 2025 13:00
Fine Netsuke & Sagemono
95
A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A RONIN LYING IN WAIT
€10,000
€20,000
A buyer’s premium of 30.00% (including VAT) applies to the hammer price of this lot if your bid is successful.
Unsigned
Japan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Finely carved in a crouching position, his body completely covered by a straw cloak (mino), and a wide hat (kasa), the face with an alert expression, as he grasps his long sword with both hands ready to draw. The details superbly incised and with two himotoshi underneath.
LENGTH 6.2 cm
Provenance: Harriet Jaffé Collection, by repute. Sotheby's, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 12 November 1985, London, lot 576. From an important European private collection, acquired from the above.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and a tiny nick to one himotoshi.
The revenge of the forty-seven ronin is an 18th-century historical event in Japan in which a band of ronin (leaderless samurai) avenged the death of their master. The incident has since become legendary. The story tells of a group of samurai who were left leaderless after their daimyo (feudal lord) Asano Naganori was compelled to perform seppuku (ritual suicide) for assaulting a court official named Kira Yoshinaka, whose title was Kozuke no suke. After waiting and planning for a year, the ronin avenged their master’s honor by killing Kira on the night of December 14th, in the year of 1702. They were then obliged to commit seppuku for the crime of murder. This true story was popularized in Japanese culture as emblematic of the loyalty, sacrifice, persistence, and honor that people should display in their daily lives.
Museum comparison:
Compare a related narwhal tusk netsuke of a ronin lying in wait (machibuseru), attributed to Ogasawara Issai, second half of the 18th century, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, reference number M.91.250.28. Compare also a related wood netsuke of a ronin disguised as a peasant, early 19th century, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, reference number M.59.35.2.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related wood netsuke of a ronin disguised as a peasant, 6.5 cm long, at Lempertz, Auction 1249, 19 June 2024, Cologne, lot 403 (sold for EUR 30,240). Also compare a closely related wood netsuke of a ronin, 4.8 cm long, at Tessier Sarrou, Arts D’Asie, 14 June 2021, Paris, lot 32 (sold for EUR 11,776).
Unsigned
Japan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Finely carved in a crouching position, his body completely covered by a straw cloak (mino), and a wide hat (kasa), the face with an alert expression, as he grasps his long sword with both hands ready to draw. The details superbly incised and with two himotoshi underneath.
LENGTH 6.2 cm
Provenance: Harriet Jaffé Collection, by repute. Sotheby's, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 12 November 1985, London, lot 576. From an important European private collection, acquired from the above.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and a tiny nick to one himotoshi.
The revenge of the forty-seven ronin is an 18th-century historical event in Japan in which a band of ronin (leaderless samurai) avenged the death of their master. The incident has since become legendary. The story tells of a group of samurai who were left leaderless after their daimyo (feudal lord) Asano Naganori was compelled to perform seppuku (ritual suicide) for assaulting a court official named Kira Yoshinaka, whose title was Kozuke no suke. After waiting and planning for a year, the ronin avenged their master’s honor by killing Kira on the night of December 14th, in the year of 1702. They were then obliged to commit seppuku for the crime of murder. This true story was popularized in Japanese culture as emblematic of the loyalty, sacrifice, persistence, and honor that people should display in their daily lives.
Museum comparison:
Compare a related narwhal tusk netsuke of a ronin lying in wait (machibuseru), attributed to Ogasawara Issai, second half of the 18th century, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, reference number M.91.250.28. Compare also a related wood netsuke of a ronin disguised as a peasant, early 19th century, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, reference number M.59.35.2.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related wood netsuke of a ronin disguised as a peasant, 6.5 cm long, at Lempertz, Auction 1249, 19 June 2024, Cologne, lot 403 (sold for EUR 30,240). Also compare a closely related wood netsuke of a ronin, 4.8 cm long, at Tessier Sarrou, Arts D’Asie, 14 June 2021, Paris, lot 32 (sold for EUR 11,776).
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Auction: Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 7th Nov, 2025
We're pleased to present our final Fine Netsuke & Sagemono Auction of the year.
The sale opens with a distinguished group of fine inro, representing a wide range of materials, lacquer techniques, and artistic styles. Among these, a particular highlight—and one of the most significant works to appear in our rooms in recent years—is the complete inrō set by Ogawa Haritsu, illustrating The Twelve Months. First published in 1928 (F. M. Jonas – Netsuke), this exceptional set now appears on the market for the first time (lot 11).
The inrō are followed by an excellent selection of sagemono, including notable examples by the esteemed artist Hasegawa Ikko (lots 68–73). Learn more.
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Viewing
3 - 6 November 2025
10 am - 6 pm
7 November
10 am - 12 pm
as well as by appointment
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