A FINE INLAID LACQUER TONKOTSU WITH NEW YEAR DESIGN, ATTRIBUTED TO SHIBATA ZESHINAttributed to Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891), unsigned Japan, late 19th centuryOf rounded rectangular form, the superb black ishime ground decorated in gold, brown, and black takamaki-e and aogai inlays to depict an oni escaping from beans that are raining down upon him, using a large hat to shield himself, the reverse with further soybeans and a window with bamboo bars, from which a tiny rat peeks out, all underneath shimenawa hangings, such as shide and pine saplings. Unsigned, however attributed to the school of Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891), who created similar designs and used a very similar ground on his lacquerworks. HEIGHT 9.5 cmCondition: Good condition with minor wear, few small age cracks, some losses to and near the window. The imagery on the present tonkotsu are all evocative of New Year’s celebrations as the rat is companion of the lucky god of wealth Daikoku, who is often seen pelting soy beans at oni during the rite of oni-yarai which is celebrated on New Year’s day. Shimenawa hangings are also found throughout households during the New Year. This way of alluding to a specific event through clever use of imagery is very typical for Zeshin and his followers.Literature comparison:For three similar examples depicting the same subject, signed Zeshin, Koma Kansai, or both, see Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (2014) Lac Lacquer Lacquest, pp. 288-289.Auction comparison: Compare a closely related lacquer tonkotsu, described as “after Shibata Zeshin” and dated late 19th century, with a similar black ground imitating cast iron, and also depicting an oni at Setsubun, formerly in the collections of Raymond Bushell and Edward Wrangham, at Bonhams, 9 July 2018, London, lot 122 (sold for 2,000 GBP).