IKKOSAI KOJITSU: A FINE IVORY OKIMONO OF ENTERTAINERS By Ikkosai Saito Yataro (Kojitsu), signed Ikkosai Japan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912) Published: Rimondi, Gianni: Combien de Ikkosai. Part 1. In: International Netsuke Society Journal, Vol. 39, no. 2, Spring 2019, p. 30, fig.38. The finely carved ivory okimono depicts a street entertainer along with his two children during the Shishimai (lion dance) festival. The adult and older child are banging their drum, while the youngest stands on his feet and hands in an acrobatic position. Both children have characteristic lion headdresses. Note the expressively carved face of the adult. The robes are adorned with patterns, the ivory is lightly stained and a sagemono set is tied at the back to the man’s obi. Signature IKKOSAI 一光齋 inside a wavy reserve. HEIGHT 7.6 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Provenance: British collection. As noted in the article on Ikkosai in INSJ volume 39, no. 2, the okimono is particularly interesting as it shows Saito Yataro (Ikkosai Kojitsu) had changed his output during the Meiji period, as netsuke became less fashionable and the demand for okimono increased drastically.