The
Trudy
and
John
Cohen Collection
of
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L5 L6 L4 L11
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L24 L13 L14 L25
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L26 L27 L28 L29
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L30 L31 L32 L18
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L19 L20 L21 L22
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L15 L16 L17 L23
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Shibata Zeshin four case inro.
L1
A good and rare four case tan lacquer Inro. The tan ground is decorated with three rats stealing eggs. One pulls the tail of another, which lies on its back holding an egg, the third is peering into the bowl of eggs. All in shades of gold, silver, and natural coloured takamakie with nashiji interior.
Signed: Zeshin (Shibata was his family name) probably an early work.
Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891) was one of the foremost lacquerers of the 19th century, who was also adept as a painter and wood-block-print designer. He studied lacquer under Koma Kansai II (see the Sambaso dancer inro L2).
Ojime: Crushed eggshell.
Netsuke: Wood Netsuke of a mouse eating a bean, the pod beneath him.
(NL1)
Zodiac sign / Rat
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Sambaso Dancer Inro Jugyoku & Kansai six case inro.
L2
A six case Inro. The scene depicted is that of a Sambaso dancer of the No Theatre in front of a balcony. In his right hand he holds a cluster of small bells, and in the left, a fan on a roiro ground. His garments are rendered in red lacquer, green stained ivory, and horn. The belt and shoes, are in mother of pearl, the hands and neck in ivory. The mask, fan, bells, and hat are inlaid in metal. The balcony is gold takamakie and the planks in gold togidashi. The reverse shows balcony railings and a pine branch all in gold takamakie, togidashi, and kirikane.
Signed: In a red lacquer reserve Jugyoku and also signed in gold lacquer Kansai.
The Inro is a rare collaboration of two artists, Koma Kansai II, a lacquerer who died in 1835, and Ryukosai Jugyoku, a noted netsuke artist from Edo.
Ojime: Gilded metal with raised fruit and foliage.
Netsuke: Kagamibuta, of ivory and metal. The plain ivory case enclosing a metal plate, with
relief decoration of two courtiers playing musical instruments on a balcony.
(NL2)
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Raiko Killing the Giant Spider Inro
Jokasai four case inro.
L3
A four case red Inro. The red lacquer ground is decorated in hiramakie with Raiko slaying a giant spider.
Signed: 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: Coral bead
Netsuke: Ivory, wood and coral netsuke of a seated child holding a tub with a plant.
(NL3)
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Rosei Dreaming Inro
Koma Kyuhaku four case inro.
L4
A four case Inro decorated in hiramakie on a roiro ground with Rosei dreaming, his fan inlaid with very thin, but lively, aogai to show the face behind. The reverse depicting the subject of his dream, a court procession, all in togidashi.
Signed: Koma Kyuhaku
There were six successive generations of the Koma family of lacquerers using the name Kyuhaku, from the end of the 17th through the 19th century. The subect, the dream of Rosei, was a favourite of them all and the present example probably dates from the early part of the 19th century.
Ojime: Carved layers of black, yellow and red lacquer with mountain landscape.
Netsuke: A wood netsuke of a man drawing a sword from its scabbard, the sword in steel is
revealed when the scabbard is moved.
(NL4)
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Butterflies & Insects Inro
Unsigned four case inro.
L5
A good four case Inro. The roiro ground decorated with a variety of insects in gold and red lacquer, as well as mother of pearl.
Signed: Unsigned.
Ojime: Metal in the form of a lotus seed pod with a frog on one side. Signed: Tenmin.
Netsuke: Kagamibuta, the ivory bowl with metal plate, with raised decoration in various metals, of
a fly caught in a spider's web.
(NL5)
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Ojime Lotus Seed Pod
Lotus seed pod Ojime on Butterfly Inro.
Ojime: Metal in the form of a lotus seed pod with a frog on one side. Signed:
Tenmin.
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Geisha Inro
Nemoto Shibayama three case inro.
L6
A three case gold Inro with Shibayama decoration, on a kinji ground, depicting a man, in a kago, visiting Geisha seen on the reverse.
Signed: Nemoto
A richly decorated inro, in typical Shibayama style, made at the end of the 19th century
Ojime: Pierced and carved ivory.
Netsuke: Ivory netsuke of a fallen warrior possibly recalling happier times.
(NL6)
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Tokusai Shibayama four case inro.
L7
A four case gold Inro richly decorated, in Shibayama style with actors in a play.
Signed: On a red seal Tokusai
Ojime: Red lacquer with oval pattern decoration.
Netsuke: A quaint lacquer netsuke of a boy holding a box.
(NL7)
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L8
A gold lacquer Inro of an outdoor stage, with exceptional applied metalwork, of an actor firing his bow at another who is shown on the reverse, crouching down, protecting a monkey at his side.
Although seen in profile, the archer has full face detail.
Signed: On a metal tablet Noriyuki (for the metalwork), and Hanabusa Itcho sho
(after the design
by Hanabusa Itcho)
Hamano Noriyuki was chiefly a maker of sword fittings in Edo, during the latter part of the 18th century. The present example is almost certainly not by him, but by a follower.
Ojime: Metal oval shape with raised dragons.
Netsuke: Ivory netsuke of two musicians. (NL8)
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Masanari & Kajikawa Saku three case inro.
L9
A three case togidashi Inro, roiro ground, and with nashiji interiors. Decorated with the seven sages of the bamboo grove (Chikurin shichi Kenjin, the Chinese Chuh lin ts'i hien), four of whom appear on the front, and three on the reverse, in a landscape with a bridge over a river with bamboo on the banks.
Signed: Shiomi Masanari in seal form and Kajikawa saku in kanji.
It is strange to find the signatures of both Kajikawa (Family name) and Shiomi Masanari on the same Inro. The most likely cause is that the work is by one, after the other, although it is unclear whose was the original design.
Ojime: Carved nut with the seven sages.
Netsuke: Ivory netsuke of the seven sages of the bamboo grove.
(NL9)
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Shunsho four case inro.
L10
Jogahana. A four case togidashi Inro with nashiji interiors. Decorated with two figures. One in long flowing robes who appears in the dream of the other, who sits beside rocks, with a flowering tree, and stylized waves, in the landscape background.
Japan, 18th century
The name Shunsho is seen on a number of Inro, from the 17th century onwards, as it was used by at least twelve successive generations, all of whom specialised in the togidashi technique. The present example is by one of the later members of the family, working in the late 18th or early 19th century.
Ojime: Carved red lacquer showing carp amongst the waves.
Manju: Ivory manju with applied gold figures dancing in the rain.
(NL10) Signed: Unsigned
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Boy & Ox Inro
Shiomi Masanari four case inro.
L11
A red four case togidashi Inro. Decorated on the red ground, lightly powdered in gold, with a boy playing the flute whilst sitting beside an ox.
Signed: Shiomi Masanari.
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 metal with raised floral design.
Manju: Ivory openwork manju carved with a boy playing the flute whilst sitting on an ox.
The reverse similarly carved with Chinnan and a dragon.
(NL11)
Zodiac sign / Bullock / Dragon
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Monkey Trainer Inro
Shiomi Masanari four case inro.
L12
A four case gold togidashi Inro decorated with a Sarumawashi (monkey trainer) wearing a large hat and fine garments, in the Chinese style, possibly posing as an archer. On the reverse a monkey dressed in the full costume of a Sambaso dancer of the No theatre. The details of their richly decorated clothes rendered in very fine Somada style.
Japan, 18th Century.
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: Raised and pierced dark metal ojime.
Netsuke: An ivory netsuke in the form of sleeping monkey trainer, contentedly dreaming, as his
pet warily steals from his food basket.
(NL12)
Zodiac sign / Monkey
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Three Case Wood Inro Style of Hidari Issan.
L13
A three case inro, style of Hidari Issan, of carved wood in the form of a tortoise, its pierced claws forming runners for the suspension cord, eyes inlaid in umoregi (lignite:jet).
Signed: but not known, (on an inlaid ivory plaque).
Hidari (left handed) Issan worked in Aizu, in Iwashiro province and is chiefly known as a maker of netsuke.
Ojime: Carved wood in the form of two frogs.
Manju: A rare stag-antler manju decorated with insects.
(NL13)
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Tsuishu Inro
Enshu three case inro.
L14
A three case Tsuishu red lacquer inro finely carved with immortals on a gyobu background.
Signed: Enshu (in seal form)
Enshu was a late member of the Koma family of lacquer artists, who worked in Edo during the latter part of the Meiji period. The present example is recorded in E.A.Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists, p.51.
Ojime: Metal in the form of a nobleman with gilt details.
Manju: Marine ivory manju carved with Chinnan with his dragon coming out of his bowl.
(NL14)
Zodiac sign / Dragon
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Kyorinsai four case inro.
L15
A four case inro decorated in rich gold and silver hiramakie with flowering cherry seen against a large bamboo blind, among hazy mura-nashi-ji.
Signed: Hasegawa Kyorinsai
Kyorinsai is one of the Go (art names) of Hasegawa Shigeyoshi II, a fine lacquer artist of the 19th century.
Ojime: Bronze ojime decorated in gold and various metals with flowering prunus.
Japan, 18th century
Netsuke: Kagamibuta, the gold plate engraved with a blossoming tree in the rain.
(NL15)
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Ojime on a Kyorinsai four case inro.
L15
Bronze ojime decorated in gold and various metals with flowering prunus.
Japan, 18th century
See the Bamboo Blind Inro (L15) Japanese lacquer inro & boxes section.
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Yasutsugu three case inro.
L16
A three case gold lacquer inro extensively decorated in Shibayama style with 'birds in battle'.
Signed: Yasutsugu (on a red seal tablet). The signature Yasutsugu can also be
read Ekiji.
Little is known of Yasutsugu (Ekiji), the present example being recorded in E.A.Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists, p.50.
Ojime: Round metal with overall raised floral decoration.
Manju: Ivory manju carved and pierced with an egret and flowers.
(NL16)
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Owl Inro
Kajikawa four case inro.
L17
A four case brown lacquer inro decorated with an owl, in silver, on a prunus tree of pure gold. The reverse with a stream and full moon in silver.
Signed: Kajikawa
Ojime: Gilt pierced metal decorated with flowers.
Netsuke: A fine wood netsuke of a tree peony
(NL17)
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Wild Boar Inro
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).
Ojime: Metal decorated with foliage and details in gilt.
Netsuke: A stag-antler netsuke depicting a frog on a large mushroom.
(NL18)
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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
Ojime: Metal with raised birds on a branch.
Netsuke: Kagamibuta, the gold lacquer bowl bearing a metal plate, inlaid with birds and flowers.
(NL19)
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Jokasai four case inro.
L20 A four case inro of decorative fans in gold and coloured lacquers on a roiro (polished black) ground. Signed: 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: Togidashi lacquer black ground with dragon decoration.
Netsuke: Stag-antler netsuke of a rat on a large peach with foliage.
(NL20)
Zodiac sign / Rat
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The Three Friends Inro
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
Ojime: Metal ojime of Autumn flowers with gold stamens.
Manju: Ivory manju, inlaid in gold with Narihira and his retainers viewing Mt. Fuji.
(NL21)
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Ojime on the three friends inro.
Ojime: Metal ojime of Autumn flowers with gold stamens.
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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
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)
Zodiac sign / Monkey
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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
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)
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Tiger Inro
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.
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)
Zodiac sign / Tiger
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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
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)
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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
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
Netsuke: A gold lacquer arrangement of two plum blossoms.
(NL26)
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Ojime on a bamboo & prunus inro.
Ojime: Metal ojime decorated in gold and other metals with fruits in relief.
Seal: Not known
Published: Item 280 (ojime) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
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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
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.
Netsuke: Ivory netsuke of a shishi with a ball on a stand.
(NL27)
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Ojime on a Shishi inro
Drum shaped copper ojime with an engraved Shishi.
Signed: Soshi
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Hare Inro
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
Ojime: Gold togidashi lacquer with a design of mons.
Netsuke: An ivory hare with beautiful inlaid eyes scratching its cheek.
(NL28)
Zodiac sign / Hare
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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
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.
Netsuke: Ivory in the form of a cape gooseberry bursting open to reveal the fruit which is coral.
(NL29)
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Metal Ojime of a Fly on a Bean
Ojime on a flowers and insects inro.
Metal ojime of a fly on a bean.
Seal: Not known
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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
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)
Zodiac sign / Dog
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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
Ojime: Fluted carved coral.
Netsuke: Ivory in the form of a tennin flying on a swan.
(NL31)
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Cock and Hen Inro
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
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)
Zodiac sign / Cockerel / Bullock
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