Inlaid tablescreen by Ogawa Haritsu 尾川破笠 (Ritsuo, 1663–1747)
Price: € 6.200,00
A superb inlaid lacquer tsuitate 衝立 (table screen) attributed to Ogawa Haritsu 尾川破笠 (Ritsuo, 1663–1747) or a close follower.
Of rectangular form with softly rounded corners, set within a wooden frame and raised on two bracket feet.
One side depicts a scene from The Tale of Genji 源氏物語 (Genji Monogatari), chapter 27 Kagaribi 篝火 (Cresset Fires). An ox-drawn carriage 御所車 (gosho-guruma) stands to the left, finely inlaid with pewter and raden 螺鈿 (mother-of-pearl), beside a maple tree 楓 (kaede). The foliage is rendered in coloured ceramic, while beneath the trees courtiers and attendants gather around a small fire, waiting amicably while warming their sake. Their robes are also enriched with ceramic inlays.
The reverse shows a Ranryô’ô 蘭陵王 dancer from bugaku 舞楽 (court dance), wearing a fierce mask and flowing robes in vivid tones of red, green, and white, decorated with fine blue cloud and floral crest motifs. At his side coils a snake with its tongue extended.
Sealed to the left in green ceramic: ‘Kan’ 観
The panel is richly decorated in gold hiramaki-e 平蒔絵 (low-relief lacquer), takamaki-e 高蒔絵 (high-relief lacquer), and togidashi maki-e 研出蒔絵 (burnished lacquer), further enhanced with an inventive combination of mixed-media inlays. The lower section of the frame is inset with a pierced softwood panel backed with hardwood.
Period:
Japan – Edo period (18th century)
Dimensions:
Height 45 cm, Width 41 cm, Depth 17 cm
In very good condition and presenting very well, with minor wear consistent with age, including some losses to the inlays and associated touch-ups. Please refer to the photographs for a clear condition reference.
Complete with a wooden tomobako 共箱 (storage box).
Ogawa Haritsu (also known as Ritsuo) was an innovative lacquer artist of the Edo period, celebrated for his bold use of unconventional materials such as ceramics, metal, and shell. Originally active as a haiku poet, he turned to lacquer work later in life and developed a highly distinctive style that set him apart from traditional workshop lineages. His work is characterised by imaginative compositions and technical experimentation, and he is closely associated with the patronage of Tsugaru Nobuhisa.
