Bronze Koi Fish in Waves ー山川 考次 "銅製鯉像"

A set of silvered bronze swimming among frothy waves on a fine wooden stand, each signed on the belly Yamakawa Koji and enclosed in a large kiri-wood display box.  The two fish are beautifully rendered, full of movement, roughly 30 cm (1 foot) long each.  The wave base is 40 x 25 x 25 cm (16 x 10 x 10 inches).  The wooden stand is 50.5 x 28.5 x 5 cm (20 x 11 x 2 inches) and all is in excellent condition.

Due to size the cost of shipping will be accrued separately.

The Yamakawa family were pioneering metalworkers of the pre-modern to modern age.  The first generation Yamakawa Koji (given name Yasoji, 1828-1882) was born in Kanazawa and became an apprentice at the age of 11 to Yanagawa Harushige (follower of renowned Edo metalworker Yokoya Somin) where he honed his skills. During the reign of the 13th feudal lord Maeda Nariyasu in 1862, he was appointed as a silversmith tasked with creating fittings for the lord’s swords, his remarkable skill earned him the title of "Kaga Somin." His techniques were described as achieving the pinnacle of craftsmanship, with elegant and refined engraving marks (as noted in Soken Kishō). In 1873 the Meiji government commissioned Kanazawa metalworkers to create exhibits for Japan's first official participation in the Vienna World Exposition. Yamakawa Koji was selected as the leader of the artisan group, alongside Yamao Jiroku, Mizuno Genroku, Hiraoka Chuzo, and Suzuki Kappei. The group later formed the foundation of the Copperware Company in 1877 (Meiji 10), with Hasegawa Junya as president (later renamed the Kanazawa Copperware Company). This company showcased Kanazawa's metalwork to the world. Yamakawa played a central role in the company, supervising creations for the Imperial Household Agency and both domestic and international exhibitions. His achievements included an award for his copperware at the 1876 (Meiji 9) Philadelphia World Exposition and the prestigious Phoenix Medal at the 1877 (Meiji 10) First National Industrial Exhibition for his contributions as "Kanazawa Copperware Craftsman." Yamakawa Koji II (1860-1930) apprenticed under the first-generation master, learning his techniques. He worked as a craftsman for the Copperware Company. Around 1892 following the company’s dissolution, he established his own workshop and trained numerous apprentices. Yamakawa Koji III (1884-1938) studied at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts before succeeding the family business.He passed away in 1938 after which the Yamakawa family lineage came to an end.