THE JAPANESE COLLECTION

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