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Rosanjin Kitaoji Signed Japanese Bizen Pottery Vase & Original Signed Sealed Box

$4,500
£3,414.50
€3,904.17
CA$6,285.28
A$6,988.38
CHF 3,648.94
MX$85,065.55
NOK 46,558.94
SEK 43,623.50
DKK 29,137.55
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About the Item

An absolutely gorgeous hand-crafted Bizen Yaki Ware pottery vase by Japanese master potter Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883-1959) who was arguably one of if not the greatest artists/ceramicists of the 20th century. Rosanjin (whose real name was Kitaoji Fusajiro. In 1922 he changed his name to Kitaoji Rosanjin which translates as “foolish mountain man”) was famed in Japan for many talents - calligrapher, ceramicist, engraver, painter, lacquer artist, and restaurateur. It is noted that Rosanjin had one of the greatest ceramics collections in Japan in the early part of the 20th century but the Great Tokyo earthquake of 1923 destroyed most of his personal collection so he began making pottery himself to replace it. In 1926 he established his own kiln in the Yamasaki neighborhood of Kamakura. In 1946, after the war, he continued to make his ceramics and art while also opening a restaurant in the Ginza district of Tokyo which catered to upper-echelon Americans. In 1951, he invited sculptor/artist Isamu Noguchi and his wife Yoshiko Otaka the actress to live on his property in Kamakura, where they stayed for several years. In 1954, Rosanjin accepted an invitation from the Rockefeller Foundation to hold a solo exhibition of his works in New York City at the Museum of Modern Art. Afterward, he visited Europe, where he would meet with the esteemed artists Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall. In 1955, one of his Oribe ware works was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan by the Japanese government. A few years later in 1959, Rosanjin was designated a Living National Treasure by the Japanese government but was one of the very few nominated people to indignantly decline the honor (he did so twice). The rumor was that he felt insulted that the Japanese government had offered this status to a former studio assistant of his first, and this was how he chose to express his dissatisfaction. The vase features Rosanjin's incised signature on the base and comes with the original signed protective box that also has a written authentication of the work and signature of Kuroda Totoan ( also known as Kuroda Ryoji 1905-1987), Rosanjin's most famous and noted art appraiser. The work was likely made in the kiln that famed Japanese Bizen potter and Human National Treasure Kaneshige Toyo help build for Rosanjin (Rosanjin was a master of many style of Japanese pottery including Oribe, Shino, Shigaraki, etc...). A very rare, beautiful, one-of-a-kind work. Would clearly stand out in any Japanese Asian ceramics/pottery or art collection. Rosanjin's work has become quite scarce to find, especially in such impeccable condition with the original signed/sealed wood box and the written authentication by Kuroda Totoan. A coveted combination indeed. Not many of his Bizen Yaki Ware pieces remain today. Vase dimensions: 11" high, 6" diameter Box dimensions: 12.25" high, 7" wide, 7" deep.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 12.25 in (31.12 cm)Width: 7 in (17.78 cm)Depth: 7 in (17.78 cm)
  • Style:
    Showa (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Mid-20th Century
  • Condition:
    The vase is in excellent vintage condition with no discernable flaws, cracks, chips, etc.... The wood box has wear (the top lid is cracked) and stains consistent with age and use (please see photos). Quite beautiful, unique, and engaging overall.
  • Seller Location:
    Studio City, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2254343157162

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