MIYAO: A SUPERB AND IMPRESSIVE PARCEL-GILT CENSER DEPICTING WATANABE NO TSUNA FIGHTING THE ONI IBARAKI By Miyao Eisuke of Yokohoma, signed Miyao zo Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) Heavily cast as the Rashomon Gate, the cylindrical vessel with elaborate stylized demon masks and shaped panels enclosing leafy peony sprays against a wood-grain ground, a smaller cylindrical pole beside the vase is similarly decorated with panels showing inome (boar`s eye) elements and surmounted by the fierce oni with finely incised curled hair, two gold horns, and a floral garment, the demon being pulled down by the great samurai in the process of drawing his trusty sword. The censer fitted with a metal inset. The reverse of the vase signed in a gold-inlaid rectangular reserve MIYAO zo. HEIGHT 57 cm WEIGHT 18.1 kg Condition: Very good condition with some wear, the sword blade lost. Presents beautifully. Provenance: From a Swedish private collection. Founded by Miyao Eisuke , the Miyao Company of Yokohama specialized in the manufacture of bronze sculptures, embellished with gold and silver as well as patinated copper alloys, that represent generic samurai warriors as well as more precisely identifiable characters from Japanese myth and legend. In addition, the company also made a smaller number of pieces in other formats such as incense-burners, vases, and chargers. According to legend , in the late 10th century of Heian Period Japan, Ibaraki-doji, a notorious oni, resided at Rashomon Gate in Kyoto. Ibaraki-doji harassed people who tried to pass through the gate until a heroic samurai named Watanabe no Tsuna, a loyal retainer of Minamoto no Raiko, went to subdue the creature. When Tsuna arrived at Rashomon Gate he was attacked by Ibaraki-doji. However, Tsuna was a strong and valiant swordsman who was able to defend himself against the ferocious attack. The battle raged on until Tsuna drew his katana and severed the arm of the demon. Screaming in pain, Ibaraki-doji ran away from Tsuna, leaving the severed arm behind. Tsuna swept up Ibaraki-doji`s arm as a trophy. When he arrived home at his mansion, he wrapped up the severed arm and locked it away in a chest. A few days later, an elderly woman claiming to be Tsuna`s aunt, Mashiba, came to visit him. During the conversation, the aunt asked her nephew to recount how he fought with the oni, and when Tsuna mentioned that he had the severed arm in his possession, his aunt was curious and asked to see it. The unsuspecting Tsuna brought out the chest with Ibaraki-doji`s arm inside and when he removed the arm, his aunt revealed herself as being Ibaraki-doji in disguise. She grabbed the arm and escaped from Tsuna`s mansion. Tsuna was astonished that Ibaraki-doji had posed as his elderly aunt and did not give chase. However, even after retrieving the arm, Ibaraki-doji never returned to dwell at Rashomon Gate again. Auction comparison: Compare a related bronze by the workshop of Miyao Eisuke, 67.3 cm high, at Christie`s, 24 June 2014, New York, lot 28 ( sold for 37,500 USD ).