A Good Japanese Folding Fan, Ogi, circa 1870's, Meiji period, with ivory monture, the guards decorated with gold lacquer, featuring birds and insects among floral stems, and inset with shibayama, with white mother-of-pearl flowers and berries in coral. The plain gorge sticks are gently serrated at each side. The double paper leaf depicts a hunting scene, one hunter seated on a horse bedecked with red skirts, a hawk or other bird of prey held ready to release. Slightly ahead, his beater, with a white dog. The rural background, with local habitation, ends with mountain ranges. Gold borders to the top and bottom of the leaf. The verso features a pair of birds pecking for food in the bushes beside a river, the male much larger than his mate, with long tail feathers. A large hydrangea bush and smaller plant with pink flowers attract insects. Fitted with a bi-colour silk cord ending in a large double silk tassel, both in shades of cream and deep purple. Guard length approx. 10 5/8 inches or 27cm.