Cover image: detail of a 6 panels screen presented by Galerie Kommoss on

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six-PAnEl sCREEn WiTH TigERs CRossing A RivER

Unkwown Kyōto artist Japan Edo period 19th century Ink and light colors on paper H 171 x W 382 cm Price: 25.000 euros © Alain Duprat

ObjeCT PReSenTed by:

Galerie Kommoss M.: +49 177 6033 201 E.: info@galeriekommoss.com W: www.galeriekommoss.com

Beautiful six-panel screen with a depiction of three tigers crossing a river. In East Asian belief, the tiger is considered to be brave, strong and fearless but at the same time tends to be impetuous and irritable. These characteristics are well expressed in East Asian renditions. On this screen, a male tiger is fearlessly carrying his cub through a roaring river while another one, possibly the female one, indicated by a black speckled fur, sits already on the shore trying to dry herself.

The whole composition as well as the postures and facial expressions of the tigers can be traced back to a layout originally created by Maruyama Ōkyo (1733-1795). For instance, the image created here, can directly be compared with one of his famous tiger screens in the collection of the British Museum.

Ōkyo was one of the most influential painters of his generation and has clearly shaped the history of Japanese painting, even generation after him. It is assumed that he was already supported by many student painters in his large workshop during his lifetime, so it seems just natural that many painters in Japan adapted his popular style. This screen can be located in his tradition. It is, however, a later work from the 19th century by an unknown but, nevertheless, not lesser skilled Kyōto painter who was following the footsteps of a legend.

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BizEn CHATsUBo

Tea leaf jar Japan Edo period Late 18th – early 19th century Height: 28 cm Price: 2.200 euros

ObjeCT PReSenTed by:

Kitsune Gallery M.: + 32 476 87 85 69 E.: arie.vos@kitsune.be W.: www.kitsunegaroo.com Chatsubo are earthenware jars used to store the tencha (tea leaf), non-powdered green tea before mortared by stone mill. Here we have an Edo-period (1603-1868) example of Bizen ware, one of the 6 ancient kilns of Japan (rokkoyo), appreciated for their Yakishime (unglazed and high-fired pots) onto which natural falling ash glazes create wonderful designs. This chatsubo is a fantastic illustration revealing the beauty of Yakishime.

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BizEn HidAsUKi KinEgATA mizUsAsHi

Fresh water jar Japan 19th century Height: 17,5 cm (including lid) Diameter: 16 cm Price: 3.000 euros

ObjeCT PReSenTed by:

Kitsune Gallery M.: + 32 476 87 85 69 E.: arie.vos@kitsune.be W.: www.kitsunegaroo.com A mizusashi is a lidded container for fresh cold water used in chanoyu (Japanese formal tea ceremony). Here we have an example of a Bizen ware mizusashi. Bizen is well-known as one of the 6 ancient kilns (rokkoyo) in Japan with over a thousand years of history. It is marked at the bottom with a kamajirushi (kiln mark - unidentified) and executed in hidasuki (wrapped in straw before fired; due to the high temperature, the straw burns, leaving scorch marks on the pot). It comes with a black lacquered lid and the mizusashi is shaped as a “kine” (referred to as kinegata), a Japanese mortar, frequently depicted in the mythological story of the hare in the moon preparing mochi (Japanese rice cakes made of mochigome) and is the traditional food for Japanese New Year. Thus we might assume that this mizusashi was made for New Year tea ceremonies.

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mAKi-E TEA CAddY WiTH mAPlE lEAvEs And CHERRY Blossoms

Ippyōsai VII (*1942) Japan 20th century Black and red lacquer, gold, silver and aokin on wooden core 5,8 cm (h) x 8,3 cm (Diam) Inv. No. 19.019 Price: 7.000 euros

comes with fitted, inscribed and sealed wooden box. With appraisal by tea master Hōunsai (*1923).

ObjeCT PReSenTed by:

Galerie Kommoss M.: +49 177 6033 201 E.: info@galeriekommoss.com W: www.galeriekommoss.com

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Excellent tea caddy (natsume) made by the 7th Ippyōsai, Ippyō Eizō (*1942). The exterior is finished in polished jet-black lacquer (roiro) and decorated in gold maki-e with an all-over pattern of maple leaves and cherry blossoms. The cherry blossoms are either in gold or red lacquer, while the maple leaves are executed in gold maki-e with fine veins. some of the leaves seem to have a slight greenish shine and are possibly made of a material called aokin, an alloy of gold and silver. The interior and the base are silver coated. Rims are in gold lacquer.

Ippyō Eizō has been the 7th generation of one of the leading lacquer master families in Kyōto. He has studied under his father, Ippyōsai VI (1908-2001), and shimizuya Kōmin. Ippyōsai VII is especially known for his excellent skills in creating complex compositions on the three-dimensional space of a natsume tea caddy. His workshop is currently run by the 8th Ippyōsai, his daughter Ippyō Ryō.

The wooden box, made of paulownia wood (kiri), is signed underneath: Makie-shi Ippyōsai and sealed Ippyōsai. Inside the box's lid is an appraisal by the 15th grandmaster of the Urasenke tea ceremony school, Hōunsai (*1923): Unkin hira-natsume, Konichi. He also wrote his kaō in red lacquer in the inside of the tea caddy's lid.

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TsuTsugaTa Hanakago

Tomobako Tanabe Chikuunsai II (1910-2000). Signed by Chikuunsai zo (Made by Chikuunsai) Japan Madake bamboo, Yadake arrow shaft for handle, rattan, lacquer 45 cm (h) x 12,5 cm x 12,5 cm Price on request

ObjeCT PReSenTed by:

Galerie Mingei M.: + 33 (0)6 09 76 60 68 E.: mingei.arts.gallery@gmail.com W: www.mingei.gallery

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Hakogaki Kikko sukashi-ami tsutsugata, hanakago, Tekisuikyo*, Chikuunsai zo, Osaka Shōbidō kan, with seal shōbidō (open hexagonal plaiting, tubular shape, flower basket, Tekisuikyo, made by chikuunsai, authenticated by the shōbidō retailer gallery, osaka, with seal shōbidō)

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CEnsER

Seal: Made by Taixin Zhi Rong China qing dynasty 19th century Bronze, silver inlays 11 cm (H) x 21 cm (Diam) Price: 8.800 euros

ObjeCT PReSenTed by:

Gregg Baker Asian Art M.: +32 468 00 56 85 E.: info@japanesescreens.com W: www.japanesescreens.com

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A bronze censer on three short feet standing on a matching stand and inlaid in silver with farmers, fishermen and scholars in a rural landscape

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Hanakago WiTH HAndlE

Tomobako Wada Waichisai II (1877-1933). Signed by Waichisai zo kore (Waichisai made this) Japan Madake bamboo, lacquer 46 cm (h) x 24 cm Price on request

ObjeCT PReSenTed by:

Galerie Mingei M.: + 33 (0)6 09 76 60 68 E.: mingei.arts.gallery@gmail.com W: www.mingei.gallery Hakogaki Hanakago Waichisai

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Renzan (moUnTAin RAngEs)

Tomobako Wada Waichisai III (1899-1975). Signed by Waichisai zo (Made by Waichisai) Japan Madake, nemagari-dake, rattan, lacquer 45 cm (h) x 30 cm x 29 cm Price on request

ObjeCT PReSenTed by:

Galerie Mingei M.: + 33 (0)6 09 76 60 68 E.: mingei.arts.gallery@gmail.com W: www.mingei.gallery Hakogaki Tennendake te, teiryo hanakago (Natural bamboo basket with handle) Back: Mei, Renzan, Seisetu fūujō-shi, Waichisai (Entitled « Mountain Ranges », The studio where rain and wind may manifest merciful blessings in western Settsu region, Waichisai with seal Waichisai.)

The triangular plaiting (uroko-ami) resembles mountain ranges (Renzan in a poetic Japanese expression).

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nyoi (PRiEsT's sTAFF)

Japan Edo period 18th century lacquered iron Height: 47,5 cm, 49 cm (with stand) Price: 3.200 euros

ObjeCT PReSenTed by:

Gregg Baker Asian Art M.: +32 468 00 56 85 E.: info@japanesescreens.com W: www.japanesescreens.com Black lacquered iron nyoi (priest's staff) decorated with a dragon.

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TAnBA sToRAgE JAR FoR JAPAnEsE PEPPER (sanshō Tsubo)

Japan Edo period 17th century Ash-glazed stoneware 29 cm (h) x 21 cm (Diam.) Inv. No. 21.024 Price: 14.000 euros

ObjeCT PReSenTed by:

Galerie Kommoss M.: +49 177 6033 201 E.: info@galeriekommoss.com W: www.galeriekommoss.com

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Extremely rare early Edo period storage jar from sasayama in today's Hyōgo prefecture. With its sharp-angled shoulders, its broad, flat base and slightly narrowed body, this jar illustrates a Japanese type of storage jars that was invented by Tanba potters for the promotion and export for one of the local famous goods, known as asakura sanshō, or “Japanese pepper”. Asakura sanshō (Zanthoxylum piperitum var. inerme) is a local variation of common Japanese pepper, that is closely related to Chinese Szechuan pepper.

However, asakura sanshō only grew wildly in the mountains of the Hyōgo prefecture and gained popularity throughout Japan for its fresh and bright aroma since the late 16th century. The importance of this local product is highlighted by the impressed characters on the vessel's wall, referring to the vessel's content. It shows that the production of the vessel had only one purpose and it is assumed that these jars with the impressed product name were presented to the local Daimyō or even to the shōgun.

Only very few Tanba jars with the impressed characters asakura sanshō are existing today and none of the known examples are of the kind shown here. Another similar jar of the same type, however without impressed characters, was presented by Galerie Kommoss in the Asian Art society's catalog 07/2021.

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BAmBoo FloWER BAsKET, TiTlEd "FRAgRAnT BREEzE"

Higashi Takesonosai (1915-2003) Signed underneath: Takesonosai. Japan shōwa period 1970s Bamboo, rattan, lacquer 37,4 cm (h) x 19,3 cm x 15,5 cm (d) Inv. No. 21.004 Price: 8.500 euros

comes with fitted, signed and sealed wooden box and original workshop label.

ObjeCT PReSenTed by:

Galerie Kommoss M.: +49 177 6033 201 E.: info@galeriekommoss.com W: www.galeriekommoss.com

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Bamboo flower basket of lacquered bamboo and rattan made by Higashi Takesonosai (1915-2003) and titled "Fragrant Breeze" (Kunpū). The name refers to the south wind in early summer that brings the fragrance of fresh green. The poetic name fits perfectly to the light, airy impression of the basket's thousand-line construction (sensuji gumi) that conically builds up on a square plaited base (yotsumi ami). The handle, made of two split bamboo stripes, were attached at the side, starting at the base and spanning in a wide bow above the basket.

Higashi Takesonosai is regarded as one of the leading bamboo artists of the later twentieth century. He received early training from the Kyōto based basket-makers Kaneka Chikkasai (dates unknown) and Wada Rinshi (dates unknown), but already started to develop his own creative style in the 1930s. His first solo exhibition as independent artist was in 1937 and he made his first entry into the National Exhibition (Nitten) in 1952. Since then, he gradually began to move on from Chinese-style objects (karamono) to a range of expressive new techniques.

A large collection of his work, gathered by the great Japanophile Lloyd Cotsen, can be seen in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco.

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Fuyo [oPUlEnCE And gloRY]

Tomobako Wada Waichisai III (1899-1975). Signed by Waichisai saku [Made by Waichisai] Japan Susudake Kinmei-chiku (smoked and dwarf nemagaridake bamboo) 38 cm (h) x 37 cm x 34 cm Price on requestt

ObjeCT PReSenTed by:

Galerie Mingei M.: + 33 (0)6 09 76 60 68 E.: mingei.arts.gallery@gmail.com W: www.mingei.gallery The shape of the basket resembles Fuyo (like Rose Mallow flower and lotus flower).

Hakogaki Kinmei susudake, tsuri-hanakago (Smoked Kinmei bamboo, a hanging flower basket). Seisetu fūujō-shi (The studio where rain and wind may manifest merciful blessings in the western Settsu region), Waichisai with seal Waichisai.

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REssEi mEnPo

Samurai face protection mask with fierce expression Japan 17th century Iron, red lacquered Height: 25 cm (including yodare-kake) Width: 15 cm Price: 12.000 euros

ObjeCT PReSenTed by:

Kitsune Gallery M.: + 32 476 87 85 69 E.: arie.vos@kitsune.be W.: www.kitsunegaroo.com

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A marvellous 17th century Haruta school iron menpo with “yadome” and “kirigane” plum flower blossoms on each side of the mask, as well as on the sharply protruding chin. The nostrils are heart-shaped. The inner side has a rich red lacquered surface which flaked off on some parts of the mask near the border (please contact us for detailed photos), but generally speaking the menpo is in overall good condition.

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BizEn WARE TsURUKUBi (CRAnE’s nECK) vAsE

Flower vase Japan 19th century Height: 23 cm Price: 1.600 euros

ObjeCT PReSenTed by:

Kitsune Gallery M.: + 32 476 87 85 69 E.: arie.vos@kitsune.be W.: www.kitsunegaroo.com

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A very fine 19th century Bizen yaki hanaire (flower vase) for a single flower decoration during tea ceremony. Bizen is well-known as one of the 6 ancient kilns (rokkoyo) in Japan with over a thousand years of history. Marked at the bottom with a kamajirushi (kiln mark - unidentified). The typical reddish body shows some “goma” (sesame seed) natural glaze spots and has itome (a pattern of horizontal grooves).