A Tokyo school stained ivory netsuke of a young monk, by Hômei (Yasuaki ??). Late 19th century - image-1

Lot 305 Dα

A Tokyo school stained ivory netsuke of a young monk, by Hômei (Yasuaki ??). Late 19th century

Auction 1036 - overview Cologne
14.06.2014, 10:00 - The Kolodotschko Collection of Netsuke I
Estimate: 800 € - 1.000 €
Result: 5.124 € (incl. premium)
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A Tokyo school stained ivory netsuke of a young monk, by Hômei (Yasuaki ??). Late 19th century

The monk's hands tied together behind his back and three rats at his feet. Inlays of tortoise shell and other coloured materials. Signed in seal script Hômei (Yasuaki) on an inlaid red lacquer tablet.
Height 2.2 cm

The netsuke illustrates a legendary episode in the biography of the famous Japanese painter Sesshû (1420-1505). When he was a young schoolboy at Sokokuji he was punished for his idleness by having his hands bound with a rope. But with his bare feet he drew a rat into the earth, which was so realistic, that it came to life. The rat gnawed at the rope, thereby setting young Sesshû free.