5th Dec, 2025 10:00
Fine Japanese Art
12
NOGAMI RYUKI: A SUPERB BRONZE OKIMONO OF A MINOGAME AND YOUNG
Sold for €3,380
including Buyer's Premium
By Nogami Ryuki (Nogami Tatsuoki, 1865-1932), signed Ryuki
Japan, early 20th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) to Taisho period (1912-1926)
The mythical tortoise with a long bushy tail swept to one side with gold patinated tips hanging over the naturalistically cast and patinated mossy rockwork base it proudly stands on, above gold-inlaid lichens, its offspring clambering on its carapace, both finely detailed with the shells and pebbly skin realistically rendered. The large tortoise signed on the underside RYUKI and sealed on the rock RYUKI tsukuri shirusu [made by and with the seal of Ryuki].
The wood storage box inscribed Iwao no ue kame (ganjo no kame), okimono, Koson [a turtle on a rock, okimono (in the collection of) Koson].
HEIGHT 25.8 cm, LENGTH 38.5 cm
WEIGHT 6,073 g
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and casting irregularities, few nicks and scratches.
The minogame is a mythical turtle, often depicted with the head of a dragon. It is said to live for over a thousand years, with a long, hairy tail made of seaweed and algae that have grown on its shell due to its old age, symbolizing longevity and wisdom. The perhaps most famous minogame appears in the legend of Urashima Taro, in which the hero rescues a sea turtle from tormenting children and is rewarded with a journey to Ryugu-jo, the palace of the Dragon King, under the sea.
Nogami Tatsuoki (1865-1932), art name Nogami Ryuki, studied at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts under one of the most notable metal craftsmen of the Meiji era, Oshima Joun (1858-1940). His work was exhibited widely including the Paris Great Exhibition in 1900. Ryuki was best known for his bronze figures of tortoises. He worked for the Imperial Household Agency and was mentioned in a 1910 article on metalwork entitled Japanese Art and Artists of Today.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related bronze okimono of a pair of minogame on a rock, signed Ryubi and dated to the Meiji period, 24.7 cm high, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 19 March 2014, New York, lot 3299 (sold for USD 5,625 or approx. EUR 6,815 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).
By Nogami Ryuki (Nogami Tatsuoki, 1865-1932), signed Ryuki
Japan, early 20th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) to Taisho period (1912-1926)
The mythical tortoise with a long bushy tail swept to one side with gold patinated tips hanging over the naturalistically cast and patinated mossy rockwork base it proudly stands on, above gold-inlaid lichens, its offspring clambering on its carapace, both finely detailed with the shells and pebbly skin realistically rendered. The large tortoise signed on the underside RYUKI and sealed on the rock RYUKI tsukuri shirusu [made by and with the seal of Ryuki].
The wood storage box inscribed Iwao no ue kame (ganjo no kame), okimono, Koson [a turtle on a rock, okimono (in the collection of) Koson].
HEIGHT 25.8 cm, LENGTH 38.5 cm
WEIGHT 6,073 g
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and casting irregularities, few nicks and scratches.
The minogame is a mythical turtle, often depicted with the head of a dragon. It is said to live for over a thousand years, with a long, hairy tail made of seaweed and algae that have grown on its shell due to its old age, symbolizing longevity and wisdom. The perhaps most famous minogame appears in the legend of Urashima Taro, in which the hero rescues a sea turtle from tormenting children and is rewarded with a journey to Ryugu-jo, the palace of the Dragon King, under the sea.
Nogami Tatsuoki (1865-1932), art name Nogami Ryuki, studied at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts under one of the most notable metal craftsmen of the Meiji era, Oshima Joun (1858-1940). His work was exhibited widely including the Paris Great Exhibition in 1900. Ryuki was best known for his bronze figures of tortoises. He worked for the Imperial Household Agency and was mentioned in a 1910 article on metalwork entitled Japanese Art and Artists of Today.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related bronze okimono of a pair of minogame on a rock, signed Ryubi and dated to the Meiji period, 24.7 cm high, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 19 March 2014, New York, lot 3299 (sold for USD 5,625 or approx. EUR 6,815 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).
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