IKKOSAI: A SUPERB FIGURAL IVORY OJIME OF A MONKEY AND OCTOPUS By ‘Saru Ikkosai’, signed Ikkosai Japan, Tokyo, second half of 19th century An incredibly detailed miniature carving of a saru (monkey) and tako (octopus). The monkey is trapped in the octopus’ tentacles and is struggling to break free. It is gripping the tako on its head, grabbing a chunk of its leathery skin. The octopus’ inset eyes are bulging, its funnel-shaped beak pressed forward. The many tentacles of the tako are all over the place, slithering around the monkey’s arms and neck, forming a dense bundle on the underside. The monkey’s fur is finely incised and stained. Signed IKKOSAI 一光齋 on one of the tentacles on the underside. Figural ojime of this quality are extremely rare. HEIGHT 1.5 (!) cm Condition: Excellent condition. Provenance: Ex collection Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt. Auction comparison: Compare to a netsuke of a monkey fighting an octopus in Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, 2 June 2018, Vienna, lot 5.