KOKUSAI: A RYUSA MANJU NETSUKE WITH A WATERWHEEL AND COINS By Kokusai, signed Koku 谷
Japan, Shiba, Tokyo, late 19^th century

Of oval form, inlaid in sentoku bronze with a waterwheel with a flowering branch on top, flanked by two paulownia leaves and encircled by scrolling vines, the underside with two coins, one of which shows the seal signature KOKU which forms himotoshi, encircled by raised bosses. Pierced twice for suspension.

WIDTH 4.1 cm

Condition: Very good condition, appealingly worn, few minuscule nicks. Fine, dark patina.
Provenance: European collection.

According to Paul Moss, “The waterwheel had been used to process grain – mainly rice (and thus, and importantly sake) – since the seventh century in Japan. With the coming of the Meiji era, more modern industrial techniques began to proliferate, and the use of waterwheels diminished. Perhaps this design is supposed to harken back to better days and serve as a reference to both Kokusai’s rice dealing family background and the benefits of a regular sake intake. […] It has also been suggested that the overall design resembles a wood wheel from an ox-drawn carriage, as used by nobles in Heian Japan.” (Sydney L. Moss Ltd., 2016, Kokusai the Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. II, p. 152)

Literature comparison:
Compare a related stag antler ryusa manju attributed to Kokusai, illustrated in Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (2016) Kokusai the Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. II, p. 152, no. 155. A related and signed stag antler ryusa manju by Kokusai is illustrated in Davey, Neil K. (1974) Netsuke: A comprehensive study based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, p. 176, no. 522, where it is described as a chariot wheel among waves.