Spectacular Edo p. Ao-Bizen Koro Censer ー“備前青焼船形香炉”
Spectacular Edo p. Ao-Bizen Koro Censer ー“備前青焼船形香炉”
A fabulously sculpted Ao-Bizen Koro Incense Burner in the shape of a thatch roofed boat dating from the Edo period enclosed in a wooden box titled and annotated by the artist Mashimizu Zoroku titled Bizen Ao-yaki Funa Gata Koro. It is 24 x 8.5 x 9.5 cm (9-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 4 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Mashimizu Zoroku I ((Shimizu Tasaburo, 1822-1877) studied under his uncle Wake Kite and established his independent studio in 1843, taking the name Mashimizu Zoroku. He became independent in 1843 working along with Sen Soshitsu XI. His work was exhibited at the Vienna international exposition in 1873 and Philadelphia in 1876. Zoroku II (Jutaro,1861-1936) was born in the Gojo-zaka Pottery district of Kyoto and inherited the pottery tradition of his father, and, after his early death, continued under the guidance of his mother Chika, taking the name Zoroku in 1882. He was awarded at the Kyoto Kangyo Hakurankai Exposition. He colluded with some of the greatest artist of the day in reviving lost Japanese traditions such as Koyama Fujio and Arakawa Toyozo as well as being heavily involved in research into continental styles. He was a well regarded member of the city’s literatus, and is remembered for both his pottery and paintings in the Nanga tradition,