HARA SHUMIN: AN IMPORTANT WOOD NETSUKE OF A HATCHING TENGU By Hara Shumin, inscribed Kodokan, matsu kaede, komei ni yori and signed Tachihara Nin gikoku with kakihan Japan, Edo, c. 1830-1840, Edo period (1615-1868) An early rendition of the well-known hatching tengu subject by Hara Shumin, also referred to as ‘tengu no tomago’. The underside shows a finely carved image of a pine and maple leaf. The tengu wears an inlaid tokin cap, the face is typically expressive, and the feathery wing is neatly incised and worn. The eggshell shows several cracks and openings, some of them with the protruding, sharp claws of the mythical bird. The himotoshi on the underside, one of them ‘natural’. The importance of this netsuke is the lengthy inscription which reads: Kodokan, matsu kaede, komei ni yori, TACHIHARA NIN 立原任 gikoku and with a kakihan [By the order of Lord Kodokan (Tokugawa Nariaki, 1800-1860), pine and maple trees, inscribed with righteousness by Tachihara Nin (Tachihara Kyosho, 1785-1840)]. The netsuke was made by special order for The Lord of Kodokan, better known as Tokugawa Nariaki, the 9th lord of Mito (in office 1829- 1844) and is inscribed with fine calligraphy by the Nanga painter Tachihara Nin, better known as Tachihara Kyosho, who served the 7th-9th lords of the Mito Tokugawa clan. The tengu depicted is hatching from an egg in the pine and maple woods of the grounds of Kodokan. The Kodokan was the largest Han school of the Edo period and was built by Tokugawa Nariaki and includes the Kairakuen Park famous for pine and maple trees. The motif of pine and maple is frequently seen on this model, and the present netsuke with inscription perhaps explains why this is the case. The netsuke is unsigned since it was ordered by a man of high status, however it is certainly by Hara Shumin of Edo, who is credited with the creation of this model. LENGTH 4.4 cm Condition: Good, worn condition. Fine patina. Provenance: British collection, formerly purchased at Sotheby’s London, 27th June 1979, lot 176. Made by order of Tokugawa Nariaki (9th Lord of Mito, 1800- 1860). Auction comparison: For a similar example by Hara Shumin see Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, London, 17 May 2018, lot 7.