Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Wood (3)

Very rare carving of the Three Wise Monkeys, sanzaru in Japanese, sitting on two logs. The one who hears no evil (kikazaru) and the one who speaks no evil (iwazaru) are sitting together. A little separated from them sits the one that sees no evil (mizaru). Carved in facet-cut (abstracted style) in soft cedar wood (sugi).

Signature in the bottom: Masahide.

Japan, first half of to mid-20th century.

H 3.25 x W 8.75 x D 2.1 in.

Short splinter on the base, otherwise very good condition

The monkeys are macaques, which are indigenous to Japan. The Three Wise Monkeys were probably introduced in Japan through Tendai-Buddhism, which came from China in the 8th century. They were popularized by the carving over a door of the Toshogu shrine in Nikko, constructed in the 17th century.

The name Masahide is connected to wood carving. Several carvers by that name have been identified. However, the signature cannot be assigned to anyone in particular.

Solid wooden folk art carving of a giant penis. Strapped around it are red and white twisted cotton cords (imenawash) with paper strips (gohei). Penises of this size were donated to Shinto shrines dedicated to fertility, in the hopes of getting pregnant. Or they were carried around during fertility festivals.

Cryptomeria (sugi) wood, red and white cotton, paper

Japan, 20th century

H 24.5 inches (62.2 cm)

Excellent condition

Tall vessel of square shape, cut out of a section of a Paulownia (kiri) tree showing knots on three sides, where side branches used to be. The wood is stained dark brown. One side of the vessel is decorated with inlays/appliques and lacquer paint. The appliques colored with gold sprinkle, silver flakes and green lacquer.
A sparrow is sitting on a bamboo stalk.
Red patinated copper liner.

Japan, Taisho era, 1920s

H 11.75 x W ca. 5 x D ca. 5 in.

On the bottom of the kiri wood and on the bottom of the copper liner is written in felt pen: M.E. Boone 821-0930.

Condition: Dent, scratches, scuffs in the wood, consistent with light usage. Liner bent and dented, green insultation? stuff along the bottom seam on the inside.