YATATE KOKUSAI

Yatate Images

 ​​​Left: Inrō style bone yatate with design of Karashishi (Chinese style lion figure) with double brush and knife for cutting paper.  Above, detail of the sumitsubo (inkpot).  Signature unknown. L. 17.7cm   (With permission, Tawara Art Museum.)
Left upper: Bone yatate with dragon among the clouds motif.

Left lower: Inrō yatate of carved bone or horn with motif of crab upon a lotus leaf.  Signed, Chōji.  (With permission, Tawara Art Museum.) 
Above left : bean pod hiōgi style yatate with the motif of two wasps - one on a leaf, the other on the pod itself.  The bottom of the bean pod is uneven to show the pod’s swelling.  The opening clasp is a larva coming out of the pod above the left wing of the lower wasp.  You open the lid by pulling up on and turning the larva.   
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Above right: interior of the bean pod with an ivory inkpot and brush.  The netsuke is an ivory bean shaped Otafuku mask that opens to display a vermillion ink pad. L.16.2cm. (With permission, Tawara Art Museum) 

   
Left: Hiōgi style yatate with ​​maki-e bamboo motif with mother-of-pearl on some leaves. L.24.1cm.

Right: A hiōgi style yatate with Nanten ( Nandina or Heavenly Bamboo) motif.  The red and bluish green berries are in flat maki-e (hira maki-e). String is used for the pivot. The Japanese have traditionally considered nanten an auspicious plant bringing good fortune.  Warriors put its leaves in their armor to ensure victory.  It was also used in coming of age ceremonies, and pregnant women were known to place sprays of nanten under their converlet to ensure a safe delivery.  L.16.7cm. (With permission, Tawara Art Museum)
 ​A four compartment wooden lacquered inrō style yatate.  The theme seems to be Mie Prefecture scenes. On the left, the scene appears to depict Kameyama Castle. On the right, a scene with pine trees, water and mountains perhaps depicting the coastal area of Mie and the Ise Bay. The bamboo netsuke is decorated ​with a cicada and bamboo leaves. (From the Yatate Kokusai Collection.)
The sides of the yatate depict what appear to be two nambanjin or "southern barbarian men".  The  term refers primarily to Portuguese and Spanish sailors, missionaries and merchants who sailed from the south, either from  Macao or the Philippines, to reach Japan.  The figures may also represent Dattanjin referring to Tartars.  Additional research needs to be done to determine if the figures are nambanjin or dattanjin. 
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The top of the yatate shows the Meoto Iwa or married couple rocks off the coast at Futami, Mie, Japan.  The rocks are joined by a shimenawa, a heavy rope of straw.  In Shinto the rocks represent the union of man and woman, husband and wife.  The larger rock has a torii ​at its peak.


 
Interior view of the four sections.  The telescoping  brush contracts and is housed in the circular chambers in each section. The orange colored bead, ojime, is used for tightening the cord on the inrō .
Interlocking style yatate with brush cylinder in the form of a flute and the inkpot in the form of a 22-reed shō.  Signed Naniwa Baitetsu (Baitetsu of Ōsaka).  The shō was introduced to Japan from China in the Nara period  (710-794) and is one of three primary woodwind instruments in gagaku, ancient imperial court music and dance.  The shō produces sound when the musician exhales and inhales thus allowing long continuous and uninterrupted music.  L. 15cm. (From the Yatate Kokusai Collection)
    
Brass yatate with mice (鼠) design. Detail on right. Signed by the craftsman Gi  (義), not visable in photo. (With permission, Tawara Art Museum.)


Imported Chinese wood, and includes writing brush, inkwell, red ink receptical for signature seals, and a knife for cutting paper. The yatate opens with with a copper sliding fastener which slides the length of the yatate  exposing the wiritng utensils. (With permission, Tawara Art museum.)
 
Tessen, iron-ribbed folded fan, shaped yatate.  On the upper lid is a bas-relief dragon that extends all along the tessen with the pivot depicting a flower.  This type of tessen/yatate was used by the samurai class when drawing a sword in defense was not necessary.  Age: Edo era; Size:  L. 21.9cm; Weight: 526 grams. (From Yatate Kokusai Collection.)
Brass yatate with floral pattern. ( With permission, Tawara Art Museum)
Detail.  


Brass yatate with dark patina with Pisces motif, double brush cylinder and doubled hinged cover for the sumitsubo, or inkwell. (From Yatate Kokusai Collection.)
A small tansu or chest of drawers shaped metal yatate. The main cabinet door swings open and exposes three inner drawers including a red ink pad or shiniku, and a sumitsubo.  (With permission, Tawara Art Museum.)
Pocket style yatate:
Top: Disc shaped pocket yatate with mountain, river and temple motif, circumference 4.8cm.
Middle: Yatate in the shape of a lottery case and telescoping brush, L. 6.1cm. and oval yatate with telescoping brush, L. 7.4cm.
Bottom:  Rectangle shaped yatate with telescoping brush. (With permission, Tawara Art Museum.)