ITŌ TESSEKI 伊藤鉄石A dried-lacquer scepter Japan, Taisho era (1912–1926), circa 1920|Modeled in dried lacquer as a long, slender branching stem of red-brown reishi fungus, signed on the reverse of the stem Tesseki 鉄石With a wooden tomobako storage box, the exterior of the lid inscribed Senkyaku saiyo 僊客採餘 (Left behind by a spirit guest), dated Kanoe-saru no shōshun 庚申之小春 (October 1920) and signed Heian Zōroku (Sen)sei dai 平安蔵六生題 (Inscribed by Master Zōroku of Kyoto), with a seal, the reverse dated Kanoe-saru aki no hi 庚申秋日 (A day in autumn 1920) and signed Tesseki sanjin Tō gisaku 鉄石山人藤戯作 (Made for fun by Tesseki Sanjin Tō) with seals Tō-shi 藤氏 (Mr. Tō) and Tesseki 鉄石; the scepter wrapped in a white silk padded cloth titled Hyakuji nyoi 百事如意 (Scepter granting all wishes), dated Kanoe-saru shōshun 庚申小春 (October 1920) and with an inscription by the metal artist Hata Zōroku III 三代秦蔵六 (1885/6–1932), painted and inscribed by a group of literati friends and artists who attended a sencha tea gathering held by Itō Tesseki, including a painting of a persimmon by the bamboo artist Hayakawa Shōkosai III 三代早川尚古斎 (1864–1922), calligraphy for the word Yuri 百合 (Lily) by the sencha master Sakata Shūken 坂田習軒 (1869–1928, see also lot 00), and a painting of reishi fungus by Tesseki himself, signed Tesseki kore o saku 鉄石作之 (Tesseki made this) 17 7/8in (45.4cm) long