Tsuda Eiju (津田永寿), Japanese, (1915–2001)

A Bronze Panther Sculpture

Showa Era (1926-1989) or Heisei (1989-2019)

About the work

This bronze sculpture by Tsuda Eiju depicts a panther in a poised, forward-moving stance, capturing both controlled power and quiet elegance. The elongated body, muscular limbs, and subtly arched posture convey a sense of alert movement, while the stylized facial features lend the work a refined sculptural character.

The surface displays a dark bronze patina with nuanced green and reddish undertones, emphasizing the contours of the animal’s anatomy and enhancing the sculpture’s dimensionality. Smooth modeling across the torso contrasts with the sharper definition of the head, paws, and tail, creating a balanced interplay between realism and abstraction. The curling tail introduces a rhythmic line that reinforces the dynamic composition.

Executed with a restrained modernist sensibility, the sculpture reflects mid-century Japanese bronze craftsmanship, where animal subjects were often interpreted through simplified form and expressive mass. The work carries a strong decorative presence while maintaining the weight and permanence associated with cast bronze sculpture.

Dimensions

21cm(h) x 41cm(w) x 12.5cm(d)

Weight: 4990g

Footnote

Tsuda Eiju (1915–2001) was a leading Japanese bronze artist and the pupil and artistic successor of Tsuda Shinobu (1875–1946). Eiju exhibited widely throughout his life, including participation in the prestigious 1940 special exhibition commemorating the 2600th anniversary of the Japanese imperial line. He was frequently selected for the Nitten (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition) and received the Grand Prize in 1962. His work represents a continuity of classical Meiji and Taishō-era metalwork refined into a modern idiom, and he remains respected for maintaining the dignified traditions of Japanese bronze art well into the postwar era.