Lot Essay
An accompanying letter reads:
This carving by Sawaki Masakazu represents the Shichi Kenzin (7 wisemen of Shin, a name given to China when under the goverment of a Dynasty so called). The name of the Sages are Genshiki, Keiko, Santo, Koshin, Ryurei, Oju and Genkan. These seven men were supposed to have been posssessed of great wisdom, and they spent their time travelling between the two countries known as Shin...ka? Their names were thus well known throughout the country. At one time they held high rank under government and suddenly resigned their offices and retired to a certain village where they lived in comparative obscurity.
The carver, Masakazu whose photograph is herewith is a comparatively young man (38 years). He intended this work to be one of the best pieces in ivory at the International Exhibition (Tokyo) but was quite unable to finish it in the prescribed period. It occupied him a year beyond the time he had calculated - in all about 2 1/2 years
This carving by Sawaki Masakazu represents the Shichi Kenzin (7 wisemen of Shin, a name given to China when under the goverment of a Dynasty so called). The name of the Sages are Genshiki, Keiko, Santo, Koshin, Ryurei, Oju and Genkan. These seven men were supposed to have been posssessed of great wisdom, and they spent their time travelling between the two countries known as Shin...ka? Their names were thus well known throughout the country. At one time they held high rank under government and suddenly resigned their offices and retired to a certain village where they lived in comparative obscurity.
The carver, Masakazu whose photograph is herewith is a comparatively young man (38 years). He intended this work to be one of the best pieces in ivory at the International Exhibition (Tokyo) but was quite unable to finish it in the prescribed period. It occupied him a year beyond the time he had calculated - in all about 2 1/2 years