Nakagawa Mamoru (中川衛), Japanese (b. 1947)

A Bronze Kinuta Flower Vase (銅製 砧花入)

Heisei Era (1989–2019)

About the work

A striking bronze flower vase by Nakagawa Mamoru, one of Japan's foremost contemporary metal artists and a Living National Treasure. Executed in the elegant kinuta form, the vase demonstrates Nakagawa's exceptional ability to unite traditional Japanese metalworking with refined modern design.

The vase is of tall, slender proportions, with a gently flaring mouth rising from a broad rounded shoulder and tapering gracefully towards a narrow foot. The surface is finished in a rich matte black patina that enhances the purity of the silhouette while subtly revealing the finely worked texture beneath. Delicate horizontal lines encircle the upper neck, providing understated visual rhythm without disturbing the simplicity of the form.

The vase bears the artist's seal on the underside and is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako).

Dimensions

25.5cm(h) x 10cm(w)

Weight: 1,171g 

Footnote

Hasuda Shugoro was a prominent Japanese metal artist known for his expertise in blending traditional casting techniques with modern aesthetics. Born in 1915, he was instrumental in advancing modern Japanese metal sculpture, creating iconic public works, including the "Four Islands Bridge" monument in Hokkaido. His career earned him numerous accolades, including the Japanese Order of Culture, cementing his influence in Japanese metalwork and leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.