Japanese artists, Inoue Junkei’s sculptural pieces embody a highly articulated use of colour and form. His use of bronze creates objects that are charged, expressive, and dramatic. He received many local and national prizes already during his lifetime.

The artist kept the forms of his creations simple with minimal embellishment, staying true to the original texture and form of the material. This is the case here as well, as this bowl has a simple, but distinctive shape with two half-moon shaped indentations across each other. Like most of his creations, this bowl was also created with the use of the so-called Yamagata casting. In the middle of the Heian era (794-1185), a number of battles took place in Yamagata in an effort to quell various uprisings. Armies included metal casters who discovered that the sand in the city’s river and the soil were ideal for casting. Some of these casters later settled in the area and became the founders of the Yamagata metal casting tradition. During the casting process, firstly the overall design is decided, then the cast that will form the outer shape is made from local materials, including sand and pebbles. Japanese washi paper is used to make a stencil of the design, which is drawn onto the cast and carved. Next, the inner cast is set within the outer cast, and molten iron is poured inside. Finally, after the iron has set, the cast is opened, the metal is removed, and the surface is tempered. In a wabi sabi manner, the bowl is not aiming for perfection, instead, it relies on its textured surface with differences in colour and lineament.

Yamagata Prefecture in Japan has a history of about 900 years and its casting tradition is designated as one of the national traditional crafts. This bowl by the Japanese casting artist, Inoue Junkei (born c. 1930), is a beautiful example of his work, with his seal stamped on its base.

SOLD

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Some marks are present.

Dimensions:

11.81 in W x 6.3 in D x 3.15 in H

30 cm W x 16 cm D x 8 cm H