A superb caramel bronze Mizusashi water container inlayed with Shibuichi and silver designs and gilded entirely inside with gold by Hongo Toshihiko. The bronze lid features a woven silver wire handle. Extremely refined, it is 8 inches (20.5 cm) diameter, 4 inches (9.5 cm) tall and in fine condition, signed on the base in a silver cartouche.
Since 1700 the Hongō family was engaged in the metal crafting business in Ishikawa, particularly producing works with Kaga work, a technique of inlaying mixed metals into a bronze or other base metal. Hongo Toshihiko, born 1947 in Toyama, learned metal work under his father Hongo Yoshihiko (Kakuho), beginning his journey down the path already well travelled by his ancestors to master bronze casting and the inlay techniques of Kaga Zogan. Toshihiko subsequently became a member of the Kaga Metal Craftsman association, based in Takaoka City, in Toyama prefecture. In 2004 he was appointed a Dento kogeishi, or traditional craftsman by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Toshihiko exhibited at the Japan Art Crafts exhibition seventeen times and won many awards, including an award from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education. He became a member of the Nihon Kogei-Kai in 1977, and was awarded the Nihon Kogei-kai award at their exhibition that year. Since he has been widely exhibited, including a private exhibition at the Urasenke Tea School, and has received many prizes.
