Lot 99

No visible faults or damage


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Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.

Ito Tozan I (1846-1920) was originally a painter in the Maruyama school, and then proceeded to work and study under Kanzan Denshichi (1821-1890) of Kyoto, who produced tableware for the Japanese Imperial family. Tozan I was appointed as a Teishitsu Gigei-in (an Imperial Household Artist) in 1917, one of only five ceramicists to ever be granted this title in Japan. The Teishitsu Gigei-in were appointed so as to create refined masterworks to decorated the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, and other Imperial residences, and also to create works to be given by the Japanese Imperial family as high-level gifts.
Wakamatsu, or young pine motif, has been used since the Heian Period (794-1185) as a symbol representing new year, new beginnings and longevity, so it is likely this vase was commissioned as a new year gift.