Japanese Tobacco Pouch with Netsuke

[GregN]

Hi Guys, This Forum is amazing and directly responsible this most recent purchase from a local junk shop. The price was inconsequential, I KNEW it wasn't a "Chinese purse", so my question is; What is it? I believe it to be a tobacco pouch but I'm not sure. The netsuke is a Kagamibuto style in ivory and mixed metals but beyond that, I'm hoping there is a specialist within the NMB that can add more answers to this beautiful mystery. There is a mei so I would love to know who made this and the approximate age.

 

Regards,

 

Greg

[watsonmil]

Dear Greg,

What you have acquired is a Japanese Tobacco Pouch ( tabako-ire ). The striking feauture of your tabako-ire is the Clasp ( kanagu ), ... it appears to be of very nice quality. I would suggest your set is from the Meiji period judging by the craftmanship and style. I have no idea what the theme ( story ) of either the Netsuke nor the kanagu, ... but I'm sure one of our other members would probably know. The signature also will have to be read by someone other than myself. For a bit of background on Tobacco smoking and the accruments, ... please refer to :

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=13257&hilit=kiseru

... Ron Watson

[Bugyotsuji]

Yes, what Ron said above. The Mei is the 'Kanamono' metalworker Ryumin, plus Kao; you can find some examples in Dieuwke's book Kagamibuta - Mirrors of Japanese Life and Legend, listed in the index on p.88. 1836-1890+?, (teacher was Tenmin).

[Bugyotsuji]

See this post regarding a Ryumin Kagamibuta Netsuke that passed through my hands last month.

http://netsuke.websitetoolbox.com/post/ ... count=1240

[k morita]

Hi,

[christianmalterre]

Very Nice and equally very Good indeed!

Yes-Lattest Edo-early Meiji(depending where you store this artists influence and career)

Sorrowly the leather seems an bit ill-no matter but!-quite easily to ben restored/preserved.

Attached one of mine...

Note the similaritie´s in metalwork execution....of course Brocade Knob construction-rather earlier taste but contemporary to the your´s here...

(mine here is unsigned/sorrowly!-guess but there were several of this kind of workmanship(?)as i just saw one near identical one(the Manju was other,ditto the Knob(Dragon was executet similar but in other ankle) in an French auction not that far ago...)

Cheers!

Christian

[GregN]

Thank you Ron, Piers, Morita and Christian for helping me with the identification and artist signature of this piece. It is a real pleasure to study and admire. It is a bit outside my scope of collecting but I'm happy to have it in my collection.

 

Regards,

 

Gtreg

[Tanto54]

I believe that the subject of your kagamibuta is Benkei and Yoshitsune, and the subject of your kanemono is Ryujin (Dragon King of the Sea) presenting the Tide Jewels to Prince Ojin (relating to the Imperial line).

[GregN]

Thank you for filling me in on the subject matter for my tabako-ire George. I was able to Google the legend of

Benkei and Yoshitsune, it's fascinating reading.

 

Regards,

 

Greg