Lackadaisical Koi float effortlessly on the surface of this vase by Naimen Katsuji (Shiho I) enclosed in the original signed wooden box dated the Spring of 1976. A strikingly similar work is held in the collection of the Takaoka City Museum. It is 20 cm (8 inches) diameter, 31 cm (12 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Naimen Shiho I (Katsuji, (1904-1987) studied metalwork under Ichioka Shiun from the age of 15 establishing his own workshop in 1925. His work was first publicly exhibited at the 1930 National Shokoten. Two years later he would be awarded at the Belgium World Exposition. He remained active throughout the troubled years of the mid-century for which he would receive the order of cultural merit from Takaoka City in 1967. He remained an active promoter of traditional bronze ware until his death in 1987. His son, the second generation Shiho would study under his father from 1957. He too is much lauded beginning with top prize at the 1974 Takaoka Traditional Craft Exhibition
