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Japanese Bronze Water Coupe, Eguchi as Fugen, Edo/Meiji Period, Japan

About the Item

A very finely cast Japanese bronze water coupe in the form of the courtesan Eguchi riding an elephant, signed Kazutada, Edo to Meiji Period, mid 19th century, Japan. The small and elegant bronze water coupe is exquisitely cast to depict a figure of a seated lady reading poetry upon the back of a large recumbent elephant. This image depicts the Courtesan of Eguchi as Fugen Bosatsu. A three character inscription to the base reading "Kazutada Saku" (made by Kazutada). The elephant is portrayed in a recumbent position, its legs tucked under, and head and tail wrapped around its prodigious body, trunk extended. A coy smile dances across the beast's face, its eyes exuding intelligence and kindness. The underside of the toes are especially detailed. The female figure seated upon the back of the elephant serves as the lid of the water coupe. She is seated in a relaxed pose, with one knee raised, and dressed in the robes of a courtesan, her long hair tied back. She reads a scroll of poetry. This figure can be identified as the Courtesan of Eguchi, a 12th century prostitute named Tae living in the town of Eguchi, who famously had a conversation with the traveling monk Saigyo after he had asked for lodging within her brothel. In the Edo period, it was popular to conflate or parody Tae as Fugen Bosatsu (the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, the Bodhisattva of Virtue). The seeminglyincongruous pairing of a prostitute and the Bodhisattva of Virtue served as a commentary on the nature of perception and reality, and the ideas of virtue and vice.

Dimensions:

Height: 3 in (7.62 cm)Width: 3.63 in (9.23 cm)Depth: 2.25 in (5.72 cm)

Style:

Meiji (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Bronze,Cast,Lacquered

Place of Origin:

Japan

Period:

Mid-19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

mid 19th Century

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. In overall very good condition. With some minor wear and loss to the lacquer finish. Minor wear to the bronze. Some dirt and dust accretions to the recesses. Please see photos.

Seller Location:

Austin, TX

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU894739168392

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