18th C. Japanese Ainu Wood Ikupasuy / Mustache Lifter

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Ancient / Ethnographic From Around The World

By Artemis Gallery

Jan 21, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-01-21 10:00:00 2021-01-21 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient / Ethnographic From Around The World https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-from-around-the-world-6316
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• Lot Description
  East Asia, Japan, Edo to Meiji period, 18th to 19th century CE. A finely carved ceremonial wooden ikupasuy or drinking stick, sometimes called a mustache lifter, decorated with an incised abstract geometric design comprised of wave-like spiral motifs which may alternatively be interpreted as stylized mustaches flanked by nested diamond motifs. Sticks like this example were traditionally used by Ainu men when making offerings to spirits. The men traditionally would wave the stick around the cup with the point dipped in and sprinkle the libation towards the four quarters. After this, the moustache was lifted with the Ikubashi in order to drink the wine, hence the term mustache lifter, which is primarily used by non Ainu observers of this practice. Size: 12.25" L x 1.25" W (31.1 cm x 3.2 cm)
  
  The Ainu or Aynu people (also known as Ezo in historical Japanese sources) are an indigenous ethnic group of people, the original inhabitants of Hokkaido in Japan (formerly North-Eastern Honshu) as well as in Russia (the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin, Khabarovsk Krai, and the Kamchatka peninsula). According to the British Museum curatorial team, "Ikupasuy are ceremonial sticks used by Ainu men when making offerings to the gods and spirits. They are used in libation ceremonies when millet beer or sake is used as an offering. The central section is always decorated, here men can use any design they want. Animal and floral designs are popular but some sticks also have narrative and abstract design. At each end Ikupasuy have simple designs which represent the patri-lineage (male blood-line) of the man to whom it belongs. These designs are very important as they tell the gods and spirits who is making the offering. The female equivalent would be their secret woven grass belts the designs for which were handed down from mother to daughter. On the underside Ikupasuy are often (but not always) are carved with various symbols called 'shiroshi'. A common 'shiroshi' represents the orca or killer-whale (the long thin dorsal fin of this creature metonymically stands for the whole whale in the design). The pointed end of the stick is called the 'tongue' of the Ikupasuy. In the past scholars mistakenly called these ceremonial and very important elements of Ainu material culture moustache sticks or moustache lifters."
  
  Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-D. Penny collection, Ontario Museum Curator of Japanese Arms Collection
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
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  #160640

  Condition

  Losses and chips to peripheries and tips. Surface abrasions, scuffs, and scratches. Rich patina and lovely natural graining.
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