A four-case inro. First half 19th century
Signed Toshihide and with red seal ‘to’
With separate cord runners. Roiro ground. Fine and coloured painting in strong red, gold and brown of a juggler’s monkey with a pole over the shoulder from which the New Year’s shimenawa hangs, and a quiver behind. Large agate ojime.
The motif on this inro refers to the kyogen piece Utsubi-zaru (The Monkey Skin Quiver), which tells the storoy of the Daimyo Nomura Mansake who met a monkey trainer and his animals whilst out hunting. Due to an inappropriate reaction of the animal, the daimyo demands its skin to cover his quiver. The daimyo is so touched by the trainer's farewell to his animal that he withdraws his demand. In gratitude for this mildness, the trainer dresses his monkey in red and makes it dance.
Height 7.2 cm
Wrangham führt sowohl Toshihide, als auch dessen jüngeren
Bruder auf, der ebenfalls das hier verwendete rote Siegel 'to' verwendete.
Provenance
Sagemonoya, Tokyo
Private collection, Rhineland, acquired in 2010 at the above dealer (invoice available)
Literature
Illustrated in: Sagemonoya, Sleeping Beauties, sales catalogue, Tokyo, 2004, cat.no. 13, p.18f
Compare: Wrangham Index p. 305, Wrangham lists both Toshihide and his younger brother, who also used the red seal 'to' used here.