Mother of pearl inlay forms a continental scene of sages wandering among pavilions before steep mountains on this writing box by Tei-shitsu Gigei-in (Imperial Artist) Suwa Sozan I complete with artist made celadon ink grinding stone, water dropper, brushes and a paper knife enclosed in the original signed wooden box.Inside the lid mandarin ducks swap glances under a blossoming plum tree, while cranes soar among clouds below. It is signed in red lacquer beneath.The piece is 23.5 x 27 x 5 cm (9-1/4 x 11 x 2 inches) and is in excellent condition, wrapped in the original padded silk cloth.
Suwa Sozan I (1852-1922) was born in Kutani country, present day Ishikawa prefecture, where he initially studied before moving to Tokyo in 1875. Over the next 25 years he would gravitate between Tokyo and Kanazawa, working at various kilns and research facilities. He again relocated, this time to Kyoto in 1900 to manage the Kinkozan Studio before establishing his own. His name became synonymous with celadon and refined porcelain and was one of only five potters to be named Teishitsu Gigei-in. The Teishitsu Gigei-in were members of the Imperial Art Academy, Perhaps in modern terms one might call them the predecessors to the Living National Treasures. However unlike the LNT, there were only five Pottery artists ever named Teishitsu Gigei-in, Ito Tozan, Suwa Sozan, Itaya Hazan, Miyagawa Kozan, and Seifu Yohei III. He was succeeded by his adopted daughter upon his death. He is held in the Kyoto National Museum among many others.
