by NISHIZAWA Gyokushu
Late Taisho/early Showa period, 1920-30
Gold and silver makie on red lacquer ground
60.6 x 32.6 x 12.4 cm. Signed. Original signed and sealed storage box
This striking, abstract design depicting rice plants arching across a rich red ground has a bold, energetic, quality entirely in keeping with the artistic mood of its period. For the rhythmic scattering of rice heads Gyokushu has used a range of coloured gold, and for the stems he has polished through the gold to reveal the red base, to give a solidity to the strong, yet delicate, plant.
The floriate legs, edged in silver lacquer representative of traditional metal binding, are decorated with designs of sparrows, suzume. In Japanese folklore the sparrow exemplifies the virtue of repaying one's obligations and its association with rice heads has a long history. It could be speculated that the underlying mood of this design would prompt its user to ensure sincere and respectful communication.