KAHO: A SUPERB MASAKA SCHOOL WOOD OKIMONO OF A DEMON AND CHILD

拍品描述

KAHO: A SUPERB MASAKA SCHOOL WOOD OKIMONO OF A DEMON AND CHILD By Okazaki Eisaburo (Kaho), signed Kaho Japan, Osaka, late 19th to early 20th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) Finely carved to depict a female demon standing as she strides forward, her expressive face rendered with playful ferocity, showing protruding fangs and a mischievous grin. She carries her single-horned baby securely on her back, the child peeking over her shoulder with one claw raised to its face, its mouth wide open as it screams, and the other hand holding a rattle. The demonic figure is dressed in flowing robes, richly decorated with neatly incised floral roundels and patterns, the folds deeply carved. Her hair is neatly tied, with finely incised strands. Signed underneath KAHO. HEIGHT 10.3 cm Okazaki Eisaburo (artist name Kaho) was an accomplished carver active in Osaka and the broader Kansai region. A pupil of the renowned Kihodo Masaka (Ueda Reikichi, no. 427), Kaho’s work reflects a similar humor and craftsmanship found in Masaka’s carvings, with a distinctive style that incorporates finely executed staining and detailed incising. The present piece captures the spirit of playful mischievousness often found in the work of both Kaho and his mentor, showcasing their ability to bring humor and dynamism into small-scale figurative carvings. Auction comparison: Compare a related wood okimono of a rakan, by Masaka, 4.8 cm wide, at Christie’s, Japanese Art and Design, 14 November 2001, London, lot 182 (sold for GBP 3,760 or approx. EUR 7,900 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Compare a related ivory okimono depicting three oni, by Masaka, 5.7 cm high, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 19 March 2013, New York, lot 2257 (sold for USD 13,750 or approx. EUR 16,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).

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