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SARATANI TOMIZŌ (BORN 1949) A Five-Case Lacquer Inrō Heisei era (1989-2019), circa 2013
SARATANI TOMIZŌ (BORN 1949) A Five-Case Lacquer Inrō Heisei era (1989-2019), circa 2013 Of rounded rectangular profile decorated with a whale in crashing waves in black, silver, gold, and red takamaki-e, and hiramaki-e, with a dusting of kinpun, the interiors nashiji; with a lacquer bead ojime and a manju netsuke decorated en suite to the inrō with whales rising from turbulent waters 4 1/2in (11.4cm) high Footnotes: Though it has met with severe criticism in recent years, there exists a long and complicated relationship between the Japanese, whales, and whaling. Looked upon as a cruel and unnecessary part of the Japanese diet, fisherman historically have mourned the death of the whales they hunt, performing memorial rites and erecting shrines in their honor. One such shrine stands at Suzaki Benten Shrine, near the sight of the 'Whale Incident of Kansei (era)', where in 1798, a 55-foot (17-meter) whale became stranded on the shore of Shinagawa Bay. The incident caused such a sensation that people flocked from all over the Edo region for a glimpse of the creature, and even a private viewing was set up for Tokugawa Ienari, the 11th Shogun. Numerous artists recorded the incident in woodblock prints, paintings, lacquer, and poetry. For the background to the creation of this inrō, see lot 617. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing
SARATANI TOMIZŌ (BORN 1949) A Five-Case Lacquer Inrō Heisei era (1989-2019), circa 2013 Of rounded rectangular profile decorated with a whale in crashing waves in black, silver, gold, and red takamaki-e, and hiramaki-e, with a dusting of kinpun, the interiors nashiji; with a lacquer bead ojime and a manju netsuke decorated en suite to the inrō with whales rising from turbulent waters 4 1/2in (11.4cm) high Footnotes: Though it has met with severe criticism in recent years, there exists a long and complicated relationship between the Japanese, whales, and whaling. Looked upon as a cruel and unnecessary part of the Japanese diet, fisherman historically have mourned the death of the whales they hunt, performing memorial rites and erecting shrines in their honor. One such shrine stands at Suzaki Benten Shrine, near the sight of the 'Whale Incident of Kansei (era)', where in 1798, a 55-foot (17-meter) whale became stranded on the shore of Shinagawa Bay. The incident caused such a sensation that people flocked from all over the Edo region for a glimpse of the creature, and even a private viewing was set up for Tokugawa Ienari, the 11th Shogun. Numerous artists recorded the incident in woodblock prints, paintings, lacquer, and poetry. For the background to the creation of this inrō, see lot 617. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing
Netsuke and Inrō from American Collections
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