8th Nov, 2024 13:00
Fine Netsuke & Sagemono
127
MASANAO: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF RYUTOKI
Sold for €4,680
including Buyer's Premium
By a member of the Masanao family, signed Masanao 正直
Japan, Yamada, Ise province, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)
Finely carved as Ryutoki, the design illustrated in the Soken Kisho, the demon with his hands folded across his stomach and balancing a lantern on his head. He is dressed in voluminous robes tied at his waist with a short cape around his shoulders. The menacing face is detailed with eyes inlaid in pale and dark horn which glow with comical threat, a thick beard, and two horns jutting up on either side of the lantern decorated with a swirling cloud motif. The himotoshi is formed by the end of his sash which also houses the neatly incised signature MASANAO.
HEIGHT 7.8 cm
Condition: Both feet with repairs and a further small repair to the edge of the right horn. Otherwise excellent condition and presenting very well.
Ryutoki is one of the four jaki, the miniature demons who support statues of the Shitenno (Four Kings). Often just two are represented: Ryutoki with the lantern on his head and Tentoki who holds a lantern aloft in one hand. Legend recounts that the pair were evil mischief-makers, but the trampling feet of the gods crushed out the bad spirits and caused them to repent. The lanterns offer light for the road ahead of the Buddha and testify that the Four Kings are capable of banishing evil. A renowned pair of sculptures representing the pair is at the Kofukuji in Nara, the Ryutoki was carved in 1215 by Koben, one of the four sons of the great Kamakura sculptor, Unkei.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related wood netsuke of Ryutoki, by Masanao, illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 723.
By a member of the Masanao family, signed Masanao 正直
Japan, Yamada, Ise province, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)
Finely carved as Ryutoki, the design illustrated in the Soken Kisho, the demon with his hands folded across his stomach and balancing a lantern on his head. He is dressed in voluminous robes tied at his waist with a short cape around his shoulders. The menacing face is detailed with eyes inlaid in pale and dark horn which glow with comical threat, a thick beard, and two horns jutting up on either side of the lantern decorated with a swirling cloud motif. The himotoshi is formed by the end of his sash which also houses the neatly incised signature MASANAO.
HEIGHT 7.8 cm
Condition: Both feet with repairs and a further small repair to the edge of the right horn. Otherwise excellent condition and presenting very well.
Ryutoki is one of the four jaki, the miniature demons who support statues of the Shitenno (Four Kings). Often just two are represented: Ryutoki with the lantern on his head and Tentoki who holds a lantern aloft in one hand. Legend recounts that the pair were evil mischief-makers, but the trampling feet of the gods crushed out the bad spirits and caused them to repent. The lanterns offer light for the road ahead of the Buddha and testify that the Four Kings are capable of banishing evil. A renowned pair of sculptures representing the pair is at the Kofukuji in Nara, the Ryutoki was carved in 1215 by Koben, one of the four sons of the great Kamakura sculptor, Unkei.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related wood netsuke of Ryutoki, by Masanao, illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 723.
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