Nakajima Yasumi II (二代 中島保美), Japanese (1905–1986)

A Cast Bronze 'Auspicious Bamboo' Flower Vase

Showa Era (1926-1989)

About the work

This elegant Japanese flower vase is crafted from cast bronze by Nakajima Yasumi II, one of the leading metal artists of the Showa period. The vase is modeled in the form of a bamboo stalk, a motif known as zuichiku (auspicious bamboo), symbolizing longevity, resilience, and vitality.

The vessel is powerfully potted with a low, bulbous lower body that features a sharp, defined shoulder, resembling the segmented structure of a bamboo internode. From this sturdy base, the vase rises in a tall, slender neck that gently tapers upward. The neck is articulated with a series of distinct raised ridges, masterfully replicating the nodes and segmented growth patterns of natural bamboo.

The surface is finished with a rich, uniform deep russet-brown patina, demonstrating the artist’s mastery over bronze patination. The metal has a subtle, semi-gloss sheen that accentuates the vase's architectural lines and the gentle curvature of its "bamboo" form. The clean, unornamented design embodies the refined Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, allowing the texture of the material and the grace of the form to take precedence.

The base of the vase bears the impressed mark of the artist, confirming its authenticity.

Dimensions

21cm(h) x 8.5cm(w)

Footnote

Nakajima Yasumi II (1905–1986), the art name of Nakajima Mitsuo, was born into a family of distinguished metal artisans in Osaka and succeeded his father, Nakajima Toyoji (Yasumi I), as the second generation Nakajima Yasumi. A member of the All Japan Decorative Art Association, he exhibited widely at the Nitten, Shin-Bunten, and other major exhibitions, receiving numerous awards including the Hokuto Prize at the Nitten, the Mayor's Prize, the Asahi Shimbun Prize, and the Mainichi Shimbun Prize. His work was also exhibited internationally at the Spring Grand Salon in Paris and the Trade Exhibition in Buenos Aires. Widely admired for his elegant bronze vessels and masterful patination, Nakajima Yasumi II is regarded as one of the leading Japanese metal artists of the Showa period.