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

A Cast-Metal Monkey Incense Burner (猿猴香炉)

Shōwa Era (1926–1989) or Heisei Era (1989–2019)

About the work

A sculptural monkey-shaped incense burner by Tsuda Eiju, distinguished by its upright seated pose and smoothly modelled brown surface. The animal raises its face, creating a lively expression while retaining the compact, self-contained outline of a small metal sculpture.

The rounded body rests on its haunches, with long forelimbs descending towards the base. A broad oval area defines the flank, introducing a shallow change in contour against the curved torso. The head is carefully simplified, with projecting muzzle, rounded ears and clearly outlined eyes giving the figure character without elaborate detailing.

Warm copper-brown tones mingle with darker mottled passages across the surface. Soft reflections emphasise the shoulders, cheek and limbs, while subtle variations in finish give depth to the otherwise restrained palette. The contrast between the rounded body and elongated arms lends the composition both stability and movement.

The head forms a removable cover, allowing the animal’s shape to serve the practical construction of the incense burner. Its combination of naturalistic subject and economical modelling makes the piece engaging from several viewpoints. Accompanied by an inscribed wooden box, wrapping cloth and artist leaflet.

Dimensions

18cm(h) x 12.5cm(w) x 7cm(d)

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.