Oni Menuki Attributed to Tenkodo Hidekuni

Unsigned Orphan Menuki - Kawarabayashi Family

Absolutely wonderful and whimsical menuki of two oni engaged in a leg wrestling competition. Each oni has its foot entwined with the other oni's, and each are supporting their raised leg with one hand. This menuki is executed using silver (gin), shakudo and gold (kin). Overall the detail and subject is excellent.

The story behind the attribution is interesting. This menuki and 84 others were affixed to two beautiful Lacquered vases that were for sale with Sothebys (London) Auction House (20th June 2002, Lot 408). The vases did not achieve their estimate value so the vendor decided to remove all the menuki (sets and orphanes) and put them up for sale over the internet. Specific to this oni menuki the auction stated:

"Two oni hand wrestling, unattributed." Obviously this is incorrect for a number of reasons. First, the oni are definitely leg westling. Secondly the vase did in fact contain an attribution to the tosogu artist Tenkodo Hidekuni. This attestation was examined and approved by B.A. Robinson - former keeper of Metalwork at the V&A in London. He produced a 14 page hand written booklet on the vases in question.

Tenkodo Hidekuni was born on March 10, 1825 and died Sept 27, 1891. He became assistant carver to the Nakagawa School but later went on to work with Kawarabayashi Hideoki. These vases had 3 menuki attributed to Hidekuni - by the lacquer artist who made them. Presumably they were purchased directly from Hidekuni himself to make the vases?