KYOKUSHO: AN IMPORTANT IVORY KISERUZUTSU WITH THE EIGHT CHINESE IMMORTALS By Naito Akimatsu (Kyokusho), signed Kyokusho Japan, Tokyo, c. 1897, Meiji period (1868-1912) Of muso-zutsu type and depicting in extremely fine low relief, with miniscule incision work, the eight Chinese immortals He Xiangu, Cao Guojiu, Li Tieguai, Lan Caihe, Lü Dongbin, Han Xiangzi, Zhang Guolao and Zhongli Quan. They are shown in various attitudes, mostly drunken, one of them holding a large sake jar. Another has a goblet beside him and is holding a paintbrush, the scroll before him and a Chinese boy below him rubbing an ink stick on an ink stone. Signed to the reverse inside an oval reserve KYOKUSHO 旭松. HEIGHT 21 cm Condition: Very good condition, age cracks to the bottom. Provenance: German private collection. Naito Akimatsu (Kyokusho) was a member of the Tokyo Sculptors’ Association from 1904 to 1922. In the list of competitions of the Tokyo Choko Kai (Tokyo Sculptors’ Association) he is mentioned as the winner of two awards at the 12th sculpture competition held from 3-25 March 1897, one of them being for our kiseruzutsu of 8 Chinese Immortals (Source: Yasutami, Fukui (1996), History of Japanese Ivory Carving, p. 237.)