Hotei Japanese Prints catalog autumn 2014

Bronzes
purchased by Japanese governmental ministries for gifts to dignitaries.
No box.
39. Takamura Toyochika 高 村 豊 周 (1890-1972)
Bronze single flower vase with a stylized ear and seal in
bottom of vase, 33.5 cm (h) x 8.5 cm (w).
Including original wooden box, with signature and seal in lid.
Named a Living National Treasure in 1964 for his skills in
metalworking, Takamura Toyochika was the son of a famous
sculptor, Takamura Kôun (1852-1934). A 1915 graduate of the
Tokyo School of Fine Arts, he was influenced by the ideas of his
brother Kôtarô, who had studied Western art in New York and
Paris and opened the first independent art gallery in Tokyo in
1910. Toyochika became a specialist in the lost-wax method of
metal casting, and in 1926 helped establish the craft group called
Mukei (Formless), which sought to uphold the ideal of handmade
crafts. He was among those who worked to include crafts in the
Teiten exhibitions. Invited to exhibit at the 1927 Teiten, the first to
have a section for crafts, he garnered top prizes that year and in
the next two. He experimented with Constructivist works and in
1935 cofounded the Real Craft Art Association, which espoused
functionalist Bauhaus ideals.
40. Hiramatsu Kôshun 平 松 宏 春 (1896-1971)
A classical bronze flower vase, sealed at bottom and on
inside of lid of box. The vase has a deep red, slightly mottled
patina typical of the era. Dim. 22 cm (h) x 10.5 cm (w).
Born in Nagano, Hiramatsu Kôshun was one of the top rated bronze
artists of the Shôwa period. He learned the art of metalwork
under Katsura Kôshun (Mitsuharu) and Umino Kiyoshi. His work
was represented at the Nitten where he received the Hokutô-shô
prize among many others and was bequeathed to the Nitten and
41. Neya Chûroku 根 箭 忠 緑 (1897-1987)
A large open bronze vase, decorated with stylized waves
and flying fish. Sealed on the bottom Chûroku, c. 1930.
Dim. 35 cm (h) x 17.5 cm (w).
Including original box signed Chûroku saku (made by Chûroku).
42. Aida Tomiyasu 会 田 富 康 (1901 - 1987)
A stylized bronze flower vase, with two handles. Signed
Tomiyasu on bottom. 29.5 cm (h) x 9 cm (w).
Title on original box: Bronze ikebana vase with handles, signed
by Tomiyasu with seal.
43. Nakajima Yasumi II 二 代 中 島 保 美 (1905 - 1986)
(2nd generation, personal name: Mitsuo)
A stylized flower vase in red bronze. Signed: Yasumi on
the bottom. Dim. 34 cm (h) x 20 cm (w).
New box.
44. Nakajima Yasumi II 二 代 中 島 保 美 (1905 - 1986)
(2nd generation, personal name: Mitsuo)
A stylized flower vase in red bronze, with square handles.
Signed Yasumi on the bottom. Dim. 26 cm (h) x 10.5 cm (w).
Original box, signed and seal ( 保 美 ) on the inside of lid.
45. Nakajima Yasumi II 二 代 中 島 保 美 (1905 - 1986)
(2nd generation, personal name: Mitsuo)
A flower vase in red bronze in the shape of a budding
flower. Signed Yasumi ( 保 美 ) on the bottom. Dim. 29.5 cm
(h) x 16.5 cm (w).
46. Tsuda Eiju 津 田 永 寿 (1915 - 2001)
Bronze apple shaped vase, sealed in the bottom of the
vase. 18 cm (h) x 12 cm (w).
Original box with signature and seal. Eiju is considered one of the
most influential Japanese bronze casters in the second half of the
20th century. He was the pupil of Tsuda Daiju (1875-1946), a
member of the Imperial Art Academy and professor at Tôkyô
School of Fine Arts.
47. Keiten Takahashi 高 橋 敬 典 (1920-2009)
Bronze olive-shaped vase. Sealed in the bottom of the vase.
Signed: Keiten on the inside of lid. Text outside of the box:
red bronze flower vase (shudô hanabin). Dim. 19 cm (h) x
21 cm (w).
Original box with signature and seal. Keiten Takahashi was
designated by the Japanese government as ‘Living National
Treasure’ in 1996 for his excellent metalworking skills.
48. Yoshino Takeji 吉 野 竹 治 (1920-)
Large oval shaped vase, Takaoka dôki style. Dim. 22 cm (h)
x 25 cm (w)
Original box. Yoshino Takeji was born in Takaoka in Toyama
prefecture in Japan. He is the fourth generation of metal casters of
his family, which has been dedicated to this craft since 1800. His
father, Yoshino Takejirô taught him the techniques of casting, but
he also graduated from the Toyama Industrial Art School in 1938.
He prefers traditional bronze casting techniques over modern
methods. In 1975 he was recognized by the Japanese government
for his efforts of traditional metal making techniques. He received
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