by YOKOGOSHI Jinyu (1889 - ?)
Taisho/early Showa period, 1915-35
Gold makie with silver fittings
13.3 x 9.8 x 11.4 cm
Signed, Jinyu saku. Signed & sealed storage box
A glorious design of late summer bellflowers, hagi, wraps around 5 sides of this sumptuous small cabinet by Tokyo artist Okogoshi Jinyu. Each face, contained within a recessed framework of nashiji, shows the plant against a rich, granular, golden makie ground.
Jinyu was one of only three pupils of the acclaimed Imperial lacquerist Akatsuka Jitoku (1871-1936) allowed to adopt their master’s character ji into his name, in recognition of the quality of his work. The technique of this piece, with its glistening granular gold, evokes a warm sunlit day with the hagi in full flower – their golden flowers carried in a structure of contrasting golden leaves. Opening the hinged door reveals an intense flight of five stylised dragonflies, tombo – the seasonal symbol of late summer – set against a nashiji ground on the three, graded, drawer fronts and the back of the door.
All fittings are silver – flower-headed drawer pulls, with hinges and handle chased with a flowing foliate design.
Overall, it is an immensely satisfying design evoking the warmth, movement and sound of its chosen subject.