Antique Japanese Antler Sagemono
Enno Gyoja
Kiseruzutsu
Signature: Jushu, Circa: 19th Century
H 7.5 in.(19cm), W 1.75 in.(4.5cm), D .75 in.(2cm)
Condition: minor imperfection

A fine 19th century stag antler pipe case, featuring the superb carving of two Oni guarding the Sage En No Gyoja, the legendary eighth century founder of Shugendo sect, who came to represent the archetypal ascetic as the "Law Awakening Bodhisattva". The pipe-case has a rich aged patina, ranging from yellow cream to deep gold with sumi black in relief, on a surface varies from the burnished amber-colored to the highly polished surface further enhanced from handling with age; minor imperfection including a filler near the bottom on the backside, with a filled age-split on the small insert, and a closed crackline from the rim down the case; overall the exquisite kiseruzutsu is in good condition.