A Japanese ivory okimono,Meiji period (1868-1912), carved as Horibe Yasubee Taketsune (1670-1703) running in the snow with his sword, inscribed 'Gishi Horibe Yasubee no zou', signed Shingyo with Hashimoto in a recessed rectangle, seal mark 'Nihon Kuni, Maruki sei' to base,14.5cm highThe warrior, Horibe Yasubee, became a master swordsman in 1694, after he received acclaim for killing three opponents at a duel in Takadanobaba. He married into the Horibe family and became a successful retainer of the Akō Domain, which was disbanded after the feudal lord Asano Naganori was sentenced to commit seppuku in 1701 as a result of an attack on his adversary, Kira Yoshinaka. In 1702, Yasubee was among the Forty-seven Rōnin who attacked and killed Kira, avenging their late lord's death. As a result of this murder, Horibe Yasubee, too, was sentenced to commit seppuku in 1703.IMPORTANT NOTE This lot contains ivory material. Please be advised that several countries, including those in the EU and the USA, now prohibit the importation of ivory items unless under specific conditions. Accordingly, prospective buyers should familiarise themselves with the relevant customs regulations of their country and ensure they are able to import this item prior to bidding. If you are a UK buyer, we request that you collect your purchase as soon as possible following the sale due to ongoing changes to ivory regulations. Cracks to ivory. Restored in various locations including right leg, back of clothes, left arm, left foot and bushes. Edge of clothes and bush chipped.