Jakabffy Imre szerk.: Az Iparművészeti Múzeum Évkönyvei 13. (Budapest, 1971)

HOPP FERENC MÚZEUM - MUSÉE FERENC HOPP - Horváth, Tibor: Report on the Activities of the Hopp Museum of Eastern Asiatic Arts in 1969 and 1970

Fig. 12. Japan. Zenzai-Döji. Wood carving The figure of a small boy silling on Iiis heels, with the hands clasped. The laps of the green jacket are Fastened with ribbons on the chest. From the waist down the garment is of whitish colour. The black hair is tied up in two knots on the head. The folds of ihe garment, as well as the eyes, mouth and nose are finely carved. The base of the figurine is roundcornered and there is a small square m the centre. According to the inscription engraved on the base, the figurine was carved by Tetsu-sai as a copy of ihe statue of Zenzai-Dôji in the

1 five-storied pagoda in the lloryuji monastery. The printed label stuck lo the base tells that the figurine was shown on the Far Eastern exhibition of Vienna in 1928. It figures in the exhibition catalogue under No. 1152. Ausstellung ostasiatischer Gerätekunst und Kleinbildner ei. Wien, 1929. p. 81.). The original claypainted wooden statue of Zenzai-Dôji which belongs lo the "Scene of Discussion"' in the five-storied pagoda of the lloryuji has been illustrated several limes, e. g. In the hook written by K. With (Buddhistische Plastik in Japan. Wien, 1920. Fig. 126). When compared with the illustration, it is apparent thai the carver did not strive to render precisely every detail of the original statue. The figurine was likely carved in the niid-19th century. The name of the master does not appear in the list of netsuke carvers. He may have worked in a monastery and he belonged possibly to the circle of Teen Morikawa (1820-1

8911. This latter master was famous for his Nara ningyo but he carved copies from old statues as well (c. f. The netsuke handbook of I Ted a Reikichi. Tokyo. 1961. p. 123).