An Unusual Japanese Hirado Porcelain Okimono of Susa-no-o Slaying the Eight-Headed Dragon
日本明治時代平戶燒九頭龍大神像

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Finely modeled as the eight-headed dragon Yamata no Orochi, borne on coins and five jars of spirits, drunkenly looking at the Shinto storm god Susa-no-o on top of a rock preparing to slay him, decorated in underglaze blue, the jars and hat of the figure heightened with black.

Note:
The present group depicts the ancient tale of the God Susa-no-o, banished to earth, who comes across a weeping couple. They tell him that an eight-headed dragon has been devouring their eight daughters one by one, and now the eighth and last daughter is to be eaten. He arranges for pots of spirits to be laid out for the dragon. The dragon approaches and drinks the alcohol, falling into a drunken stupor, allowing Susa-no-o to slay the beast and save the young lady.

Height 9 1/4 in., 23.5 cm

This lot is located in New York.

Lacking a sword, firing break to one dragon's neck, otherwise in overall very good visual condition. Under UV light, small restored flake to the lower end of the back of the hair; areas of restoration around the splayed hand, areas of restoration along the ridge of the end of the tail; repaired right horns to the main dragon head.

Additional photos are updated before the sale via this link (asian.smugmug.com/Sale-2025).
品相细图见链接 (asian.smugmug.com/Sale-2025)，品相报告见上文或联系我们索取。图录中未说明品相的拍品并不等没有磨损、瑕疵、老化或其他问题，建议买家于拍前自行检查。落槌无悔，请对您的竞拍行为负责。如有其他问题，请邮件[email protected]。

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Annie Wu

Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Asian Art

[email protected]312.447.3260

Ms. Wu joined the firm in 2014, after working as a specialist in the Asian Works of Art Department of an East Coast auction house. She researches, appraises, and sells Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and South East Asian works of art, including jades, bronzes, ceramics, paintings, armor, and furniture. Throughout her career, Ms. Wu has achieved record prices for several prominent estates and collections, including the Estate of Frank G. Mertes, Sr., Winona, Minnesota; the Chinese Painting Collection of Ms. Yuan Jiaying and Mr. Li Guoyuan, Chicago; the Estate of Hisazo Nagatani, Chicago, and the Asian Art Collection deaccessioned from the Strong Museum of Play, Rochester, New York.

We are open for pick-up Monday-Friday: 9am-4:30pm.

The lots from this auction will be transferred to the Philadelphia warehouse (1600 West Girard Avenue) after the sale. For collection, please contact the Asian Department ([email protected]) or our Logistics Manager Megan Latona ([email protected]).

感谢参与我们的拍卖。2025纽约亚洲艺术专场的拍品将于拍卖结束后转运至费城库房（1600 West Girard Avenue），提货请联亚洲部 ([email protected]), 或Megan Latona ([email protected]).

For questions about shipping or packing, please contact [email protected] or see our Shipping/Packing page.

Asian Works of Art

An Unusual Japanese Hirado Porcelain Okimono of Susa-no-o Slaying the Eight-Headed Dragon日本明治時代 平戶燒九頭龍大神像

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An Unusual Japanese Hirado Porcelain Okimono of Susa-no-o Slaying the Eight-Headed Dragon
日本明治時代平戶燒九頭龍大神像