Morita Soko
Tokyo (1879-1943), circa 1920
A black wood netsuke of a bamboo culm, a branch node growing from the upper internodal ring with young bamboo leaves stretching downwards. The composition tapers towards the rhizome, pierced secondary root openings bordering the nodal rings. The gentle curve of the stem is enhanced by the natural textural striations of the wood.
Bamboo holds an important place in Japanese culture. Jomon sites provide evidence that bamboo leaves were used for weaving three thousand years ago, while a passage in the 8th century Kojiki speaks of Iznagi no Mikoto throwing a broken tooth of his hair comb to the ground, where it roots and grows into an edible shoot.[1]
Born in Fujimae-cho, Tokyo in 1879, Soko (Morita Kisaburo) worked under the master Miyazaki Joso between the ages of 15 and 29. Joso is considered the founder of the Sō school, with Soko earning the highest recognition for the delicacy and keen observation of his carvings. A similar model, carved in ivory, is in the collection of LACMA: Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection (M.91.250.106), while another in wood, also from Bushell, was offered at Sotheby’s London, 18th November 1999, lot 330.
