Bronze vase with decoration of jumping hares, by Hori Joshin

Japan, early Showa period, 1926 – 1989

Height: 13 inches, 33 cm

Width: 13 inches, 33 cm

A large bronze vase of baluster form with sharply angled sides and with a short, lipped neck. The vase is undecorated, save for a relief band around the shoulder, incorporating two long-eared hares, depicted running at full stretch, among diagonal lines, and with fish. The concave base of the vase is engraved with the three-character signature Joshin-saku (made by Hori Joshin).

Hori Joshin (1907-1993) was originally from Niigata prefecture. His grandfather Hori Masagoro was also a metal artist. He studied with the leading Japanese metal artists of the time: Oshima Joun (1858-1940) and Kitahara Sanka (1895-1972). Joshin showed his work at the Teiten, Bunten and Nitten exhibitions on numerous occasions. In 1962 he participated in the 9th Nihon Dento Kogei ten exhibition (Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition). His work can be found at the Tsubame City Museum, Niigata prefecture.