A pair of “Kawaii” Mandarin ducks in black glaze covered in gold from the Kikko kilns of Osaka enclosed in a old wooden box. These hefty birds were used to hold the lower corners of a folding screen in place. They are 12 x 9.5 x 9.5 cm (roughly 5 x 4 x 4 inches) dating from the later Edo period. One appears to have repairs to the wings under the gold.
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.
