A Celadon Shishi Kogo by Imperial Court Artist Suwa Sozan
- Artist:
- Suwa Sozan
- Era:
- Meiji
- Price:
- SOLD
- Inquire:
- Contact gallery
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Considered auspicious symbols of wealth, status, and good fortune; foo dogs—commonly referred to as shishi or koma-inu in Japan—are often seen in pairs guarding shrines, straddling the doorways of shops, and protecting public buildings. Here we have a fierce guardian adorning an incense cady (kogo). Rendered in fine celadon porcelain that Sozan was so renowned for, this pieces would be a rare addition for any collector interested in Sozan’s body of work.
Suwa Sozan I (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture. After a short stint in the military he took up pottery design and painting under Touda Tokuji in 1873. From this point forward, he divided his time mainly between Kanazawa and Tokyo working at a number of kilns and research institutes. While in Tokyo, he made the acquaintance of famed conservator of Japanese art Ernest Francisco Fenollosa and the two became fast friends. In 1900 Sozan was invited to Kyoto to work at the Kinkozan kiln where he became noticed for his great skill in creating fine porcelain and celadon works. Several years later in 1907, he set up an independent porcelain and ceramics kiln on Gojo-zaka in Kyoto where he specialized in making a variety of porcelain pieces, most noted of which were his fine powdery-blue celadon pieces modeled after classic Chinese forms as well as detailed porcelain statuettes like the one seen here. In 1917, Sozan was awarded the title of Teishitsu Gigei-in or Imperial Court Artist—what could be considered a precursor to the modern day Ningen Kokuho or National Living Treasure.
In fine antique condition, this piece is 2.6 inches across (6.5 cm) and stands 6 inches tall (15 cm). It has Sozan’s stamp clearly impressed on the side near the base and comes in its original box signed and sealed by this Imperial Court Artist.
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