Japanese Works of Art - 14th November 2018

Lot 926

A JAPANESE IVORY NETSUKE MEIJI 1868-1912 Carved as a man slaying a dragon

Estimate £1,500 - £2,000 | Hammer £1500

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Description

A JAPANESE IVORY NETSUKE

MEIJI 1868-1912

Carved as a man slaying a dragon, possibly Susanoo and the Yamata no Orochi, the hero thrusting his sword into the mythical beast's mouth while grabbing its right ear, the fabric tied around his waist with four-petal flower mon, some details picked out in black and red ink, signed Ikkosai to the back for Ikkosai Toun, 4.3cm.

The Yamata no Orochi is a mythical creature with the body of a gigantic serpent, seven heads and seven tails. According to the legend, it was slain by the Shinto God of the Sea Susanoo.