London – An exquisite, curated collection of Meiji Masterpieces of cloisonné enamel star in Samurai · Snow · Spectacle: Japanese Art across Seven Centuries Sale on Thursday 7 November at Bonhams New Bond Street. The sale also showcases rare and exceptional prints from leading figures of the shin-hanga movement together with ten impressive Samurai suits of armour.

Suzannah Yip, Bonhams Department Director, Japanese Art commented, "We are delighted to bring such a strong selection to market that illustrates the vibrancy, breadth and exquisite craftsmanship of Japan. The sale features some exceptional works including rare designs from the pioneers of the shin-hanga movement that are seldom offered at auction. Fine Japanese prints are seeing a real revival illustrated by the acclaimed exhibition currently on view at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, Yoshida, Three Generations of Japanese Print Making, which includes the work of Hiroshi Yoshida – also included in the sale, some even of the same designs."

Meiji Period Masterpieces and exceptional collections of inro

Exquisite Meiji masterpieces of cloisonné enamel by esteemed masters are showcased including a pair of Cloisonné-Enamel Moriage Baluster vases, Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century by Kawade Shibatarō (1856-1921) with an estimate of £25,000-30,000. As head of the Ando Cloisonné Company, Shibatarō introduced a number of technical innovations, expanding the colours that could be rendered in enamel. Under his leadership, the company exhibited at world fairs winning multiple awards and was appointed the official supplier of cloisonné works for the Japanese Imperial family. Shibatarō came to prominence during what is widely regarded as the "golden age" of Japanese cloisonné in the late Meiji era.

Other highlights include a fine and large Moriage Cloisonné-Enamel vase Meiji (1868-1912) or Taisho (1912-1926) era, early 20th century by Hattori Tadasaburo (died 1939), offered with an estimate of £15,000- 20,000, and a Cloisonné-Enamel hexagonal slender waisted-form vase Meiji (1868-1912) or Taisho (1912-1926) era, early 20th century, attributed to Kawade Shibataro (1856-1921), estimate: £15,000 - 20,000. An inlaid bronze monumental three-legged Koro (Incense Burner) and en-suite cover by Izumi Seijo (1865-1937) is also showcased, dated to the Meiji (1868-1912) or Taisho (1912-1926) era, early 20th century with an estimate of £15,000 - 20,000. Also offered in the sale is an Inlaid Iron Cabinet modelled as a shrine attributed to the Komai Company of Kyoto, Meiji era (1868-1912) with an estimate of £12,000-18,000.

Several private collections of inro (miniature Japanese cases for holding medicine) as well as a Tsuri-Dana (portable hanging cabinets) will also feature including:

• A black-lacquer four-case inro, Edo period (1615-1868), probably 19th century. Estimate: £4,000 - 5,000.

• A yamada jokasai lineage, gold-lacquer two-lacquer case, Edo period (1615-1868), probably 19th century. Estimate: £4,000 - 5,000.

• Somada school, an inlaid black-lacquer four-case Inro, Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century. Estimate: £3,500 - 5,500.

Rare prints by pioneers of the shin-hanga movement

Shin-hanga prints by Hasui Kawase, Ito Shinsui and Hiroshi Yoshida, three of the leading figures of the shin-hanga movement are offered in the sale. Shin-hanga, an early twentieth century movement during the Taisho and Showa periods, revitalised the traditional methods of woodblock printing prevalent in Japan from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Shin-hanga literally means 'new prints'. A highlight includes an exceptional and very rare work by Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) titled Sunset Glow in Yanaka, Twelve Months of Tokyo, dated 1921. Only five prints were completed of this set of twelve. The work is offered with an estimate of £8,000-10,000.

Hasui wrote, "on a chilly day in late January...I had wanted to depict this view of the five storeyed pagoda, which I had seen by chance in the evening light. I thought the pagoda was quite interesting because of the unpainted wood. Just as I completed sketching it, I found myself awestruck by the resounding tone of the temple bell." With its very subtle coloration, Hasui beautifully conveys the reddish glow of sunset against the unpainted wood of the pagoda.

Other highlights include:

• Kawase Hasui, print from the Taisho era (1912-1926) dated 1919. Estimate of £5,000-6000.

• Yoshida Hiroshi, Sun, moon and Mount Fuji, Taisho era. Estimate: £5,000-6,000.

• Kawase Hasui, print from the Showa era (1926-1989) dated 1929. Estimate of £4,000-6,000.

The world of Samurai and tsuba from 10th Master of the Goto School

The world of the Samurai is represented by 10 suits of armour including a Tatehagi Okegawa do Tosei Gusoku, late Edo period, circa 1850 with an estimate of £12,000-18,000 as well as a wide array of highly decorative sword fittings and guards to include a very rare tsuba by Goto Renjō Mitsutomo, (1628-1708) Edo period (1615-1868), late 17th/early 18th century, offered with an estimate of £20,000-30,000. Goto Renjō was the tenth mainline master of the Goto School. This is the only tsuba by Renjō that holds
a Jūyō status, the other two being pairs of daishō-tsuba. Tsuba are considered to be works of art in their own right and can be decorated with a wide range of themes. This exceptionally rare tsuba comes from the property of a Princely Collection.

A satsuma large baluster vase with scenes of battling skeletons Meiji era (1868-1912), circa 1880s-1890s, boldly decorated in enamels and gilt, is also showcased, portraying a continuous unusual and fantastical scene depicting two opposing armies of skeletons, each wielding swords, weapons and carrying flags, lanterns or other paraphernalia, one riding a skeletal horse. The vase is offered with an estimate of £4,000-6,000.

14 October 2024