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Japanese Miyao Style Gilt Bronze Samurai Archer, Meiji Period, Japan

About the Item

A spectacular Japanese cast, carved, and parcel gilt bronze sculpture, okimono, of a kneeling samurai archer, signed Kiyotsugu (died 1894), Meiji Period, circa 1880, Japan. The bold and dramatic sculpture depicts a kneeling samurai archer with his bow drawn and an arrow nocked. The warrior is well muscled, with a look of determination and concentration in his shakudo inlaid eyes. His thick, dark hair pulled back in the traditional topknot. An eboshi, a formal type of hat, rests upon his head, secured by a chin strap. The samurai is dressed in sumptuous, loose fitting robes and short hakama pants. A removable short sword, wakizashi, secured at his waist. His robes feature various family crests, mon, all seemingly related to the Minamoto and offshoot Seiwa Genji clans. Below a chrysanthemum is a variation on the Minamoto bamboo mon. The warrior's robes and pants feature large wagon wheel mon, known as genji guruma. His vambraces feature the tsuru (crane) mon of the Mori clan, an offshoot of the Seiwa Genji. The warrior is presented on a hand hewn and black painted wooden stand. A charming handwritten note to the underside of the stand identifies the figure as Tametomo. Minamoto no Tametomo (1139 - 1170) was a celebrated historical samurai of the Heian Period. Known for his impressive archery skills, he features as one of the epic warriors of the Hogen Rebellion, a precursor to the Genpei War. A gilt rectangular plaque to the back with a carved signature reading Kiyotsugu Sei, presumably for Takahashi Kiyotsugu. Takahashi Kiyotsugu was a Japanese Meiji Period metal artist known to have collaborated with, or been commissioned by, the Eisuke Miyao Company of Yokohama to produce bronze works for their workshops. The bronze is wonderfully finished, and gleams. The body of the warrior a stunning deep copper color, while his robes and patinated a deep brown. The decorative elements to the clothing are well and deeply carved, with the thick gilding rich and bright. His eyes of inlaid shakudo with a dark blue-black coloration. The sculpture consists of five parts: The figure, the bow (missing the bowstring), the arrow, the short sword, and the stand.
  • Similar to:
    Eisuke Miyao 1 (Workshop/Studio)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)Width: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)Depth: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)
  • Style:
    Meiji (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Bronze,Wood,Carved,Cast,Gilt,Inlay
  • Place of Origin:
    Japan
  • Period:
    Late 19th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1880
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. The bowstring missing, some wear to the gilding, as expected. The handwritten note faded.
  • Seller Location:
    Austin, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU894733684532

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