Netsuke of a cicada, carved wood, ca. 1800-1875
Okimono ( oki-mono ) es un término japonés que significa "ornamento de exposición; objeto de arte; objeto decorativo", por lo general expuesto en un tokonoma o butsudan "altar budista". La palabra japonesa okimono se compone de los vocablos oku "poner; sitio; conjunto" y mono "cosa; objeto; artículo". "Un ornamento o figura, especialemnte colocado en un cuarto de visitas". Un okimono puede ser una pequeña talla japonesa, similar aunque más grande que un netsuke. A diferencia del netsuke, que tenía un propósito específico, el okimono es exclusivamente decorativo y eran expuestos en el tokonoma. Un tokonoma es un pequeño espacio estético elevado sobre un washitsu ( una habitación de estilo japonés con piso de tatami ) en donde se cuelgan rollos desplegables decorativos con pinturas (kakemono). Los arreglos ikebana, okimono y bonsái también se pueden encontrar en estos espacios. El tokonoma y los objetos contenidos en él son elementos esenciales en la decoración tradicional japonesa. Su primera aparición data del Período Muromachi (siglos XIV al XVI). Cuando se encuentran invitados presentes en una habitación de estilo japonés, la manera correcta según la etiqueta japonesa es sentar al huésped más importante dando su espalda al lugar del tokonoma. Esto representa modestia; el que invita no debe hacer alarde del contenido del tokonoma al invitado y por lo tanto, es necesario no conducir su mirada directamente hacia tal espacio. Está estrictamente prohibido pisar dentro de esta área. UNA SELECCIÓN DE AUTÉNTICAS JOYAS ( clicar )
Ornament of Fish in Waves (Okimono). Japan, circa 1900. Bronze, silver, gilt, shibuichi and shakudo. 13.1 x 48.7 cm. An okimono of stylized bronze waves among which swim two shubunkin, one cast in…
WHAT: Estimated pre-sale to bring $5,000 to $10,000, an almost 48-inch high Japanese bronze sculpture of a samurai archer soared to $23,700 last month at James D. Julia in Maine.
From the Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photographed in the Netsuke Room of the Japanese Pavilion.
This lovely 5 3/4" articulated copper & bronze Mantis (at the Walters in Baltimore) is the work of an anonymous metalworker in 19th Century Japan (or Edo period). This is the Art of Jizai Okimono- an art that emerged after the Samurai class was outlawed in the mid 1870's. The Myochin armorers made the battle clothing for the samurai, and when the class was abolished they needed to put their skills to other uses- this being the most artistic. Most pieces are forged iron, but also bronze, copper & ivory- and most tend to be small insects & animals, sometimes very large Dragon figures. Here's a lovely snake I was outbid on a few months back- it went for $17,500: Snake Recently the Tokyo National Museum did a show on this particular art form- worth a look, as a collection like this exists nowhere: Collection. If you're interested in this general area, but can't find (or afford) the Japanese originals- there are other options. In the mid 20th Century some makers in Spain started making some animals figures of very high quality in cast silver- I have a Crayfish available for sale on my website....and have recently sold a crab. Enjoy!
AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A RABBIT Unsigned Japan, 20th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) An almost white ivory seated rabbit with its head looking down and with long ears attached to its body. One of the paws is raised to the mouth as it cleans itself and both eyes are inlaid in black. HEIGHT 3.9 cm Condition: Good worn condition with expected age cracks. Provenance: European private collection. RefNet18220
