A brilliant yellow ceramic turtle from the Kikko Kiln in Osaka dating from the later 19th century enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 16.5 x 11.5 x 6 cm (6-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 2 inches). There are old chips around the brittle edges of the totoise-shell, and a few lacquer repairs to the same, with no cracks.
The Kikko Kiln was established in Osaka in the opening years of the 19th century by Iyo native Toda Jihe, who had learned the ceramic arts in Kyoto under all of the great names of the time, Kiyomizu Rokubei I, Ryonyu the 9th generation head of the Raku family, and Ninnami Dohachi among others. He would be known as Jusanken Shogetsu. After being noticed by then Daimyo of Osaka area Mizuno Tadakuni, he received the kiln name Kikko. His works were distributed as gifts among the Daimyo, and he was called to work in many fiefs creating “Niwa Yaki” kilns throughout Japan. During the Meiji the kiln would be split into two continuing lineages, one using Jusanken stamp, the other Kikko Shogetsu. The kiln has continued into the 8th generation today, the current master is one of the few privileged to provide pottery to the Urasenke tea school.
