Description
Signed to the Base Ryokuzan 緑山
From our Japanese Satsuma Collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese Satsuma Vase by Ryokuzan 緑山. The Satsuma vase of ovoid shape with a tapered body, circular foot rim, waisted neck and rolled top rim. The Satsuma Vase is beautifully painted to the exterior with two large scenes bordered by Chrysanthemums, scrolling vines and a gilt drip effect. One scene depicts Geisha and children beside a Torii gate and bridge surrounded by water and foliage, the second scene depict a river bank with two geese and a large blossoming flower. The Japanese Satsuma Vase by Ryokuzan is signed to the base in gold on a red ground 緑山 translated as Ryokuzan made below the Shimazu Mon circle with cross and dates to the Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912).
Provenance
Private UK Collection
SATSUMA
ware is a type of earthenware pottery originating from the Satsuma province in Southern Kyushu, Japan’s third largest island.
Shimazu Mon Shimazu 島津 is the name of the clan family that ruled the Satsuma province and the family crest, the Mon is a cross with a circle. The earliest Shimazu Mon was painted in Gosu blue and was believed to be painted in direct relationship to the Shimazu clan and often pre Meiji Period. A mon that is depicted in black, gold or red has no direct link to the Shimazu family and always dates from a period after Edo.
Torii Gate
is a traditional Japanese structure marking the entrance to a Shinto shrine. It symbolises the transition from the secular world to the sacred. Typically made of wood or stone, it features two upright pillars supporting a horizontal crossbeam, usually seen painted in vermillion red. There are various styles, including the simple Shinmei Torii and the curved Myojin Torii. Famous examples include the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto and the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island. Torii gates serve as a spiritual threshold, inviting worshippers into a divine space. Torii gates in Japan can be traced back to at least the mid-Heian period, with a written reference dating to 922. The oldest surviving stone torii was built in the 12th century and stands at a Hachiman shrine in Yamagata Prefecture. Meanwhile, the oldest existing wooden torii, a ryobu torii, was constructed in 1535 at Kubo Hachiman Shrine in Yamanashi Prefecture.
MEIJI PERIOD
was an era of Japanese history that spanned from 1868 to 1912. It was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people began to build a paradigm of a modern, industrialised nation state and emergent great power, influenced by Western countries and aesthetics. As a result of radically different ideas, the changes to Japan were profound and it affected the social structure, politics, economy, military, and foreign relations across the board. The period corresponded to the reign of Emperor Meiji and was preceded by the Keio era and was succeeded by the Taisho era.
Cultural Art during the Meiji Period was of particular interest to the government and they overhauled the art export market which in turn promoted Japanese arts via various world’s fairs, beginning in Vienna at the world fair in 1873. The government heavily funded the fairs and took an active role organising how Japan’s culture was presented to the world including creating a semi-public company named Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha (First Industrial Manufacturing Company). The Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha was used to promote and commercialise exports of Japanese art and established the Hakurankai Jimukyoku (Exhibition Bureau) to maintain quality standards. For the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, the Japanese government created a Centennial Office and sent a special envoy to secure space for the 30,000 items that would be displayed. The Imperial Household also took an active interest in arts and crafts, commissioning works by select artists to be given as gifts for foreign dignitaries further emphasising the high quality and importance of Japanese art. Just before the end of the 19th century in 1890, the Teishitsu Gigeiin (Artist to the Imperial Household) system was created to recognise distinguished artists. These artists were selected for their exceptionally high quality wares and talent in their own industry. Over a period of 54 years Seventy artists were appointed, amongst these were ceramicist Makuzu Kozan and cloisonné enamel artist Namikawa Yasuyuki.
MEASUREMENTS
15.5cm High x 7.5cm Diameter (6.1 x 2.95 Inches)
CONDITION
Very Good – some minor rubbing to the faces
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