Ono
Ryoji is a well documented 19th century master whose work is rarely encountered
outside of established collections. Some of his fine carvings are recorded in
1) The Netsuke Handbook by Raymond Bushell #834. 2) Netsuke, A Comprehensive Study
Based On The MT HIndson Collection by Neil Davey #2049. 3) Netsuke, A. Brockhaus
Leipzig 1905. 4) Netsuke, F.M. Jonas, Kobe 1928.
The
remarkably complex and sumptuously detailed carving is a tribute to the brotherhood
of three eminent historical Chinese heroes of the 2nd century A.D. The scene is
a faithful rendering of Chinese legendary literature Romance of The Three Kingdom
(Sanguo Yanyi). In this depiction, the warriors Kanu
(Kuan Yu) and Chohi (Cheung Fai) are seated while Gentoku
(Lu Pei), first Emperor of the Lesser Han Dynasty, serves them wine, acknowledging
his indebtedness as Emperor for the support of his sworn brothers.
