AN IVORY OKIMONO OF A SARUMAWASHI BY KOGETSU
Ivory okimonoJapanMeiji period (1868-1912)A very well executed, sculptural okimono figure of a walking sarumawashi (monkey trainer) with his son beside him. These monkey trainers would perform tricks with their monkey, or saru, in front of a street audience. This one is jumping around on its master’s shoulder and is wearing clothes. The sarumawashi is holding a pole with a large ring at the end for the monkey to jump through. He is holding a shishi head with a cloth in the other hand. The facial features and details such as hands, paws and feet with waraji sandals are executed in a lively manner, as are the garment decorations, which include the dharmachakra, leaves and chrysanthemum blossoms. Both figures on a flat base; the boy, holding up a piece of fruit while striking a dance pose, is carved separately. Signed KO-GETSU to (carved this) on the underside of the base.HEIGHT (including pole) 23 CMCondition: Very good condition; three age cracks on the head of the sarumawashiProvenance: Austrian private collection