The Trudy and John Cohen Collection of

JAPANESE INRO & OJIME

 
With the full descriptions

To Find the Original Large Photographs
 Note the identity (letter and number) found in the description

Kajikawa five case inro.

L18

A five case inro decorated in very rich gold and silver hiramakie with a wild boar asleep among pine saplings and flowering shrubs.

Signed: Kajikawa (with red seal).
Provenance: Christie's
Published: Item 295 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 9cm long x 5cm wide.

Ojime: Metal decorated with foliage and details in gilt.

Netsuke: A stag-antler netsuke depicting a frog on a large mushroom.   (NL18)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Ren (Ishikawa Rensai), Asakusa

Ho-Ho Bird Inro

Kajikawa saku four case inro.

L19

Gold lacquer four case inro decorated on the kinji ground with a ho-ho bird perched on a flowering cherry branch, the reverse similarly decorated with its mate beside a stream.

Signed: Kajikawa saku
Provenance: Eskenazi
Dimensions: 9.5cm long x 5cm wide

Ojime: Metal with raised birds on a branch.

Netsuke: Kagamibuta, the gold lacquer bowl bearing a metal plate, inlaid with birds and flowers.   (NL19)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Unsigned

Unsigned three case inro.

L21

A three case gold and Shibayama style inro inlaid in elaborate relief with 'the three friends' - the pine, prunus and bamboo symbolising strength, longevity and wisdom. the reverse showing the archetypal elderly couple of Japan, Jo and Uba, one holding a broom, beneath two cranes in flight, the scene symbolic of longevity.

Signed: Unsigned
Provenance: G. Moss
Published: Item 301 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 10.5cm long x 7cm wide

Ojime: Metal ojime of Autumn flowers with gold stamens.
Signed: Isshu
Provenance: G. Moss
Published: Item 301 (ojime) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.

Manju: Ivory manju, inlaid in gold with Narihira and his retainers viewing Mt. Fuji.  (NL21)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Minkoku on a gold tablet

Isshu Metal Ojime

Ojime on the three friends inro.

L21

Ojime: Metal ojime of Autumn flowers with gold stamens.
Signed: Isshu
Provenance: G. Moss
Published: Item 301 (ojime) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.

To More Japanese Ojime

Black Bear Inro

Yoyusai four case inro.

L22

A four case hirame ground inro decorated with of a black bear at the foot of a tree while monkeys watch him from above. On the reverse is a running stream.

Signed: Yoyusai
Provenance: J. Katchen
Published: Item 298 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 9.5cm long x 4.7cm wide

Hara Yoyusai (1772-1845) was a prolific worker and had a large workshop, It is likely, therefore that a number of inro that bear his name were made in his workshop, under his guidance.

Ojime: Ivory lacquered in red and black with a design of leaves.

Netsuke: Ivory of an eagle clawing a monkey who, one discovers, is holding the eagle's missing eye.  (NL22)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Masatami

Zodiac sign / Monkey 

Cherry Tree Inro

Koma Koryu four case inro.

L23

A four case inro decorated with a weeping cherry tree, the blossoms in silver togidashi among nashi-ji clouds.

Signed: Koma Koryu
Provenance: Christie's
Published: Item 349 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 7.6cm long x 5.5cm wide

There are various written seals (kao) seen on works signed Koryu, leading one to suppose that there were a number of successive generations using the name.

Ojime: Gilt metal pierced and decorated with foliage and flowers.

Manju: An ivory ryusa manju carved and pierced with a Ho-ho bird with kiri flowers and leaves.  (NL23)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Unsigned

Yamada Toyoyoshi four case inro.

L24

A four case inro with a gold takamakie tiger on a rock, on the reverse his reflection in togidashi.

Signed: Yamada Toyoyoshi.
Provenance: Eskenazi
Published: Item 327 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 8.5cm long x 5.6cm wide

Yamada Toyoyoshi worked in the late 18th century, sometimes in the manner of the Koma family.

Ojime: Horn carved with a geometric pattern.

Netsuke: An ivory seated tiger.  (NL24)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Mitsushige, Osaka

Zodiac sign / Tiger

Ducks Inro

Toyo four case inro.

L25

A four case inro of ducks swimming and diving in a pond, the interior risers decorated with flowers.

Signed: Toyo
Provenance: W. Winkworth & M.T. Hindson collections, Christie's
Published: Item 352 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 8.7cm long x 5.3cm wide

The distinguished lacquerer Kanshosai Toyo lived in Edo during the late 18th century. Several descendants and pupils used the same name and the present example probably dates from the early part of the 19th century.

Ojime: Dark metal inlaid with stylised birds.

Netsuke: A lacquer netsuke in the form of a mandarin duck (oshidori) with mother of pearl inlay.  (NL25)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Unsigned

Bamboo & Prunus Inro

Joka five case inro.

L26

A five case gold lacquer inro decorated with a hanaike (hanging flower vase) formed of a section of bamboo and a prunus flower in silver and pearl inlay.

Signed: Joka
Provenance: G. James
Published: Item 280 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 9.4cm long x 4.7cm wide

Joka is a shortened form of the name Jokasai. A number of successive generations of the Yamada family used the name Jokasai, from the end of the 17th through the 19th century. The present example is a fine work by one of the later members of the family.

Ojime: Metal ojime decorated in gold and other metals with fruits in relief.

Seal: Not known
Provenance: G. James
Published: Item 280 (ojime) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.

Netsuke: A gold lacquer arrangement of two plum blossoms.  (NL26)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Unsigned

Metal Ojime of Fruits

Ojime on a bamboo & prunus inro.

L26

Ojime: Metal ojime decorated in gold and other metals with fruits in relief.

Seal: Not known
Provenance: G. James

Published: Item 280 (ojime) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.

To More Japanese Ojime

Shishi Inro

Yamada Toyoyoshi three case inro.

L27

A three case inro decorated on a brown ground in gold and silver with Shishi and dragonfly.

Signed: Yamada Toyoyoshi
Provenance: Depagne
Published: Item 312 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 7.5cm long x 5.1cm wide

Yamada Toyoyoshi worked in the late 18th century, sometimes in the manner of the Koma family.

Ojime: Drum shaped copper ojime with an engraved Shishi.
Signed: Soshi
Provenance: Depagne

Netsuke: Ivory netsuke of a shishi with a ball on a stand.  (NL27)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Mitsushige, Osaka

Soshi Drum Shaped Ojime

Ojime on a Shishi inro

L27

Drum shaped copper ojime with an engraved Shishi.

Signed: Soshi
Provenance: Depagne
Published: Item 312 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.

To More Japanese Ojime

Unsigned five case inro.

L28

Five-case inro bearing a nashiji ground and decorated with two hares among tokusa grass beneath the Moon, in takamakie with hiramakie and kirigane details-

Signed: Unsigned
Provenance: Eskenazi
Dimensions: 9.5cm long x 6cm wide

Ojime: Gold togidashi lacquer with a design of mons.

Netsuke: An ivory hare with beautiful inlaid eyes scratching its cheek.  (NL28)
Japan, 18th century
Signed: Unsigned, Kyoto

Zodiac sign / Hare

Flowers and Insects Inro

Yoyusai five case inro.

L29

A five case gold lacquer inro decorated with flowers and insects, including butterflies and beetles in stone and pearl inlay.

Signed: Yoyusai
Provenance: J Katchen
Published: Item 344 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 10cm long x 5.2cm wide

Hara Yoyusai (1772-1845) was a prolific worker and had a large workshop, It is likely, therefore that a number of inro that bear his name were made in his workshop, under his guidance.

Ojime: Metal ojime of a fly on a bean.
Seal: Not known
Provenance: J Katchen
Published: Item 308 (ojime) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.

Netsuke: Ivory in the form of a cape gooseberry bursting open to reveal the fruit which is coral.  (NL29)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Ren (Ishikawa Rensai), Asakusa

Metal Ojime of a Fly on a Bean

Ojime on a flowers and insects inro.

L29

Metal ojime of a fly on a bean.

Seal: Not known
Provenance: J Katchen
Published: Item 308 (ojime) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.

To More Japanese Ojime

Carpet-Making Inro

Kakosai Shozan four case inro.

L30

A four case gold ground inro with delicate metalwork of a carpet-making scene and further floral decoration in Shibayama style.

Signed: Kakosai Shozan
Provenance: Eskenazi
Published: Item 317 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 8.7cm long x 5.5cm wide

Kakosai Shozan worked in in Edo during the 19th century and appears to have been very prolific. His gold grounds are especially fine, as here.

Ojime: Gold lacquer bead type ojime.

Netsuke: Ivory netsuke of a lady with a dog.  (NL30)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Rantei, Kyoto

Zodiac sign / Dog

Cranes Inro

Shibayama three case inro.

L31

A three case gold lacquer and shibayama style inro decorated in mother of pearl with cranes in flight.

Signed: Shibayama
Provenance: G. Moss
Published: Item 281 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 11cm long x 7.8cm wide

Ojime: Fluted carved coral.

Netsuke: Ivory in the form of a tennin flying on a swan.  (NL31)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Homin with kakihan

Shiomi Masanari four case inro.

L32

A four case inro decorated with a cock and hen in gold and coloured togidashi on a black ground.

Signed: Shiomi Masanari
Provenance: D. Wright
Published: Item 343 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 7cm long x 5.8cm wide

The Shiomi family of lacquerers, most of whom used the name Masanari, started working in the late 17th century and continued through to the first few years of the 20th century. The Present example is undoubtedly by one of the later members of the family.

Ojime: Gilt pierced metal with a floral design.

Netsuke: Ivory netsuke of a recumbent ox.  (NL32)
Japan, 18th century
Signed: Okakoto, Kyoto

Zodiac sign / Cockerel / Bullock