A white pigeon sits on the peak of a broken Kawara roof tile forming this peaceful okimono by Miyanaga Tozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shiro Hatto. It is 15.5 x 10.5 x 22.5 cm (6 x 4 x 9 inches) and in excellent condition.
Miyanaga Tozan I (1868-1941) is one of the most important names in Kyoto ceramics. He was born in Ishikawa prefecture, and graduated from the (now) Tokyo University of Art. While a government employee, he represented Japan at Arts Expositions, and studied art in Europe before returning to Japan in 1902 to devote himself to the production of ceramics, with great emphasis on celadon, one of the most difficult of all ceramic wares. He was direct teacher or mentor to a number of prominent artists including Kitaoji Rosanjin and Arakawa Toyozo.
