A rare set of twelve shibuichi kozuka with erotic motifs
After Otsuki Mitsuoki (1766-1834), Kyoto and Edo, 19th century
Each of pale shibuichi, finely engraved in katakiri and kebori with scenes of lovemaking, all with highlights of gold and silver hirazogan, the reverse of each engraved with flowering plants, each inscribed Tsuki Mitsuoki; contained in a two-tiered wood storage box, the cover inscribed within Tsuki Mitsuoki gi saku (made for fun) with seal. (13).
Footnotes

Otsuki Mitsuoki (1766-1834) was born in Kyoto and moved to Edo when he was 20 years old. He studied painting under Nagasawa Rosetsu and was the fourth master of the Otsuki family of metalworkers, although he was a maker who developed his own independent style. He had several students, as well as his son Mitsuhiro, working with and for him. This accounts for some variation of style and workmanship and also for the large number of forgeries that are in existence.