A RARE, UNUSUAL AND LARGE MANJU NETSUKE WITH CALLIGRAPHY LISTING 62 OF 69 STATIONS OF THE KISO KAIDO ROAD
Ivory manju netsukeJapan19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)This rare and unusually thick manju has a very good feel in the hand and is stained to great effect. Inscribed meticulously in 62 rectangular reserves are 62 of 69 stations of the Kiso Kaido road, which originates from a series of woodblock prints titled ‘the sixty-nine stations of the Kiso Kaido’ created by Utagawa Hiroshige and Keisai Eisen. This road, also known as Nakasendo, connected Edo (today’s Tokyo) to Kyoto and along the road there were 69 stations which provided food and lodging for travelers. 62 of these 69 stations are inscribed on both sides of this manju next to a serene drawing of a bird and flower. On the reverse the inscription “sixty-nine stations” and “Tsugi”. Himotoshi through the center with a peg to tie the cord.DIAMETER 4.8 CM, HEIGHT 1.6 CM Condition: An approximately 2.5 cm wide crack is faintly visible on both sides; otherwise in very good conditionProvenance: Collection of Sam Felton with CITES permit no. 18US59513C/9. Purchased from Norman L. Sanfield on 18th August 1979 (old invoice available)