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Japan Important 1939 Bronze Life-Size "Seaman with Cape" Museum Work, Koga Tadao

About the Item

Japan an important life-size , early period sculpture of a muscular working man dated to 1939 and entitled "Seaman with a Cape", by mid century master sculptor Koga Tadao (1903-1979). For further information please call Douglas on our dedicated 1stdibs telephone line. A powerful depiction. This is considered to be one of Tadao' most important master pieces by Japanese museum curators. Dimensions: 80 inches high Base dimensions: 36 inches by 24 inches Approximate Weight: 650 lbs Dated on base 1939. Excellent Garden candidate. Reference: Catalog Of Collections- Saga Prefecture Art Museum, 1989, p.205, 39. F-30-4 Provenance: one of three life-size bronze sculptures acquired from a private Japanese garden collection, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. A similar example stands in front of the Saga Prefecture Art Museum yet no examples are known in collections outside of Japan. Sculptor Artisan: Koga Tadao (1903-1979) Koga Tadao graduated from the Technical School Arita, then went to Tokyo and enrolled in the Tokyo Bijutsu Gakko the precursor of Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku and studied sculpture. In 1929, as a student, a sculpture by him entitled "Buddhist Heart" (Busshin) was accepted for the 10th " Teiten " exhibition. The following year he graduated from the school. He continued to exhibit in various places. His work "Man on the Cape" ( Misaki no Otoko) at the Shin-Bunten Exhibition 1939 received an honorable mention. His sculpture "Building Greater East Asia" (Tatsu Daitoa) received a 1942 Award by the Academy of Arts . His work entitled "Summer work" ( Natsu no Saku), which he exhibited in the same year, was acquired by the Ministry of Culture. In 1962, Haisen kara tachinaoru Nippon) was erected and in 1964 on the same site Koga's sculpture "Resurrection of Japan after the lost war", was installed. In 1964 Koga became chairman of the "Japanese Society of Sculpture" , Nihon Choso-kai), and in 1966 he became a member of the Academy of Arts . In 1968 he was highly honored as a director and leading member in the Department of Sculpture of " Nitten. " By 1971 he became president of the "Japanese Society of Stone Sculptures" ( Nihon Tocho-kai) and was awarded the Order of Merit. Koga's works are known for their distinctive masculine style, though he has created in the last years smaller scale and simplified, empathetic works, such as his series of crows and ducks. On the other hand, there are monumental works by him, such as "Vision of a Forest" (Mori no Genso) - a listening man who was set up in 1973 in his hometown of Saga, and "In Memory of the Cradle of Japanese Medicine "( Nihon Igaku Hassho Kinen-zo), which was built the following year in Oita . The latter shows a doctor treating with assistants at a hospital bed. In 1994 well after his death, the Saga Prefecture Art Museum established a sculpture grove park in Koga's honor by installing over twenty of his monumental bronze works in Saga Castle Park, the lush gardens surrounding the museum. This important sculpture from his earlier period is one of only two examples currently known . The first known example of this sculpture was donated to the same Saga Castle Park Museum and is installed in a place of importance- at the entry to this museum in Saga, Japan. This important oversized 84” bronze sculpture created in 1939 “Seaman with Cape” from his earlier period and perhaps one of his finest executed sculptures, is one of only two examples currently known. Of particular note is the “octopus” representation on this sculpture’s back pocket or a tobacco pouch Tobako-ire. The first known example of this sculpture was donated to the same Saga Castle Park Museum and is installed in a place of importance- at the entry to this museum in Saga, Japan. Our gallery has been dealing in authentic Japanese, Chinese, and Fine Asian art, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. The president personally travels to Japan and Europe each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique work of art to ensure its old age, authenticity and quality condition. For further information please call Douglas on our dedicated 1stdibs telephone line. Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. We are members of NAJGA- North American Japanese Garden Association.

Dimensions:

Height: 80 in (203.2 cm)Width: 26 in (66.04 cm)Depth: 16 in (40.64 cm)

Style:

Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Bronze,Cast

Place of Origin:

Japan

Period:

20th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1939