TOSAI: A RARE STAG ANTLER YATATE DECORATED WITH MONSBy Tosai, signed Tosai 匋斎 saku 作 with two sealsJapan, Tokyo, Asakusa, late 19th centuryThe yatate comprising a fudezutsu (brush holder) and silver-fitted sumitsubo (inkwell) with hinged cover, the underside of the inkwell decorated with a finely carved chrysanthemum, the sides of the inkwell and one end of the handle decorated with various mon designs including Maru ni chigai takanoha (double hawk feather), hanabishi (diamond flower), manji (svastika), serrated leaves, and a pouch, all against a densely hatched ground, all executed in the manner of Ozaki Kokusai (1835.1892). The smoothly polished section of the handle incised with the signature TOSAI saku as well as two seals, Zuiun Ho (‘The Laws of Auspicious Clouds’) and Sakko (‘To create the old and antiquity’). The stag antler of a fine caramel tone.LENGTH 14.8 cmCondition: Good condition, minor wear, natural imperfections including minor age cracks.With a small bead and a miniature silk pouch.This apparently unrecorded artist appears to be a rare follower of Ozaki Kokusai (1835-1892), the founder of the famous ‘Asakusa school’ in Tokyo.