Five covered porcelain bowls decorated with intricate landscapes designed by the famous Nanga artist Tanomura Chokunyu for the Genroku kiln enclosed in a custom and compartmentalized period wooden box titled Chokunyu Sansui Nara Chawan. Each bowl is 11.5 cm (4-1/2 inches) diameter, 7 cm (3 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
He was born in Oita (the Oka Feif) and studied initially under Okamoto Baisetsu before moving to paint under the famous literatus Tanomura Chikuden (1777-1835), who adopted him as a son and had a very strong influence on the young artist. Upon Chikuden’s death he also studied briefly under Oshio Chusai (1792-1837) then finally ventured out on his own upon that teachers passing. He moved to Kyoto, where he helped found the Kyoto Municipal School of painting and eventually withdrew from the world, becoming an Obaku Zen Monk in 1902.
Genroku-yaki refers to porcelain produced in Ureshino, Fujitsu District, Hizen Province (modern-day Saga Prefecture). It was established during the Meiji period by Tominaga Genroku. Genroku, the founder, was born on February 7, 1859 (Ansei 6). He traveled to regions like Seto and Kyoto to study pottery techniques and incorporated what he learned into producing practical porcelain for domestic use and export. His work gained significant popularity at the time. A hallmark of Genroku-yaki is the use of the underglaze painting technique (yūkasai), where transparent glaze is applied over painted designs. This method ensures vibrant, durable colors. Genroku-yaki was highly valued by European aristocrats and won awards at exhibitions both domestically and internationally. However, it is said that production ceased around 1934.
