9th May, 2025 13:00
Fine Netsuke & Sagemono
107
Ɏ A GOOD IVORY NETSUKE OF OMORI HIKOSHICHI ENCOUNTERING THE DEMONESS
Sold for €9,750
including Buyer's Premium
Unsigned
Japan, c. 1800s, Edo period (1615-1868)
The legendary 14th-century hero Omori Hikoshichi shown standing, sustaining the weight of the female demon on his back. According to legend he thought he was carrying a beautiful lady across a stream, but in the ripples of the moonlight reflected on the water he discovered her true demonic form. In this netsuke, he is shown gazing upward, one hand poised on the hilt of his sword, the other grasping the demoness’s robe, trying to uncloak her. The facial expressions are superbly captured, and the robes display the dipping and pivoting motion. The well-toned ivory bearing a fine patina, particularly to the back which also shows the perfectly functional himotoshi to the side and under the demoness’s robe.
HEIGHT 7.8 cm
Omori Hikoshichi, a loyal vassal of Ashikaga Takauji (1305-1358), was rewarded with governorship of a large territory after his assistance in the defeat of Kusunoki Masashige (1294-1336). To celebrate his improved status, Hikoshichi sponsored a large party that lasted for several days. One night while on his way to the festivities, Hikoshichi came upon a beautiful girl distressed after having lost her way. Carrying her on his back for some distance, they finally came to a river. As they crossed it, Hikoshichi saw the girl's face reflected in the water and he realized she had transformed herself into a terrible demon. In some versions of the story, the demon is supposed to be the daughter of Kusunoki Masashige trying to avenge her father's death. This dynamic composition captures the moment after Omori HIkoshichi realizes the true identity of the maiden when he moves to draw his sword and kills the demoness.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and expected natural age cracks.
Provenance: Ex-collection Jury Kolodotschko, sold at Lempertz, 14 June 2014, Cologne, lot 122. A private collection, Luxembourg, acquired from the above. With a collector’s number to the back ‘106’.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related wood netsuke depicting the same subject, unsigned, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 151 (sold for EUR 12,008).
Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 25-B-0082).
Unsigned
Japan, c. 1800s, Edo period (1615-1868)
The legendary 14th-century hero Omori Hikoshichi shown standing, sustaining the weight of the female demon on his back. According to legend he thought he was carrying a beautiful lady across a stream, but in the ripples of the moonlight reflected on the water he discovered her true demonic form. In this netsuke, he is shown gazing upward, one hand poised on the hilt of his sword, the other grasping the demoness’s robe, trying to uncloak her. The facial expressions are superbly captured, and the robes display the dipping and pivoting motion. The well-toned ivory bearing a fine patina, particularly to the back which also shows the perfectly functional himotoshi to the side and under the demoness’s robe.
HEIGHT 7.8 cm
Omori Hikoshichi, a loyal vassal of Ashikaga Takauji (1305-1358), was rewarded with governorship of a large territory after his assistance in the defeat of Kusunoki Masashige (1294-1336). To celebrate his improved status, Hikoshichi sponsored a large party that lasted for several days. One night while on his way to the festivities, Hikoshichi came upon a beautiful girl distressed after having lost her way. Carrying her on his back for some distance, they finally came to a river. As they crossed it, Hikoshichi saw the girl's face reflected in the water and he realized she had transformed herself into a terrible demon. In some versions of the story, the demon is supposed to be the daughter of Kusunoki Masashige trying to avenge her father's death. This dynamic composition captures the moment after Omori HIkoshichi realizes the true identity of the maiden when he moves to draw his sword and kills the demoness.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and expected natural age cracks.
Provenance: Ex-collection Jury Kolodotschko, sold at Lempertz, 14 June 2014, Cologne, lot 122. A private collection, Luxembourg, acquired from the above. With a collector’s number to the back ‘106’.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related wood netsuke depicting the same subject, unsigned, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 151 (sold for EUR 12,008).
Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 25-B-0082).
Zacke Live Online Bidding
Our online bidding platform makes it easier than ever to bid in our auctions! When you bid through our website, you can take advantage of our premium buyer's terms without incurring any additional online bidding surcharges.
To bid live online, you'll need to create an online account. Once your account is created and your identity is verified, you can register to bid in an auction up to 12 hours before the auction begins.
Intended Spend and Bid Limits
When you register to bid in an online auction, you will need to share your intended maximum spending budget for the auction. We will then review your intended spend and set a bid limit for you. Once you have pre-registered for a live online auction, you can see your intended spend and bid limit by going to 'Account Settings' and clicking on 'Live Bidding Registrations'.
Your bid limit will be the maximum amount you can bid during the auction. Your bid limit is for the hammer price and is not affected by the buyer’s premium and VAT. For example, if you have a bid limit of €1,000 and place two winning bids for €300 and €200, then you will only be able to bid €500 for the rest of the auction. If you try to place a bid that is higher than €500, you will not be able to do so.
Online Absentee and Telephone Bids
You can now leave absentee and telephone bids on our website!
Absentee Bidding
Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave your absentee bid directly on the lot page. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.
Telephone Bidding
Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave telephone bids online. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.
Classic Absentee and Telephone Bidding Form
You can still submit absentee and telephone bids by email or fax if you prefer. Simply fill out the Absentee Bidding/Telephone bidding form and return it to us by email at office@zacke.at or by fax at +43 (1) 532 04 52 20. You can download the PDF from our Upcoming Auctions page.
How-To Guides
How to Create Your Personal Zacke Account
How to Register to Bid on Zacke Live
How to Leave Absentee Bids Online
How to Leave Telephone Bids Online
中文版本的操作指南
创建新账号
注册Zacke Live在线直播竞拍（免平台费）
缺席投标和电话投标
Third-Party Bidding
We partner with best-in-class third-party partners to make it easy for you to bid online in the channel of your choice. Please note that if you bid with one of our third-party online partners, then there will be a live bidding surcharge on top of your final purchase price. You can find all of our fees here. Here's a full list of our third-party partners:
- 51 Bid Live
- EpaiLive
- ArtFoxLive
- Invaluable
- LiveAuctioneers
- the-saleroom
- lot-tissimo
- Drouot
Please note that we place different auctions on different platforms. For example, in general, we only place Chinese art auctions on 51 Bid Live.
Bidding in Person
You must register to bid in person and will be assigned a paddle at the auction. Please contact us at office@zacke.at or +43 (1) 532 04 52 for the latest local health and safety guidelines.
