Page 117 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke

116 | SOZAN: A MASSIVE
SATSUMA CERAMIC
FIGURE OF TOMOE
GOZEN WITH A
GUNPAI FAN,
C. 1900

By Sozan, signed Dai Nihon Sozan
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

The large porcelain figure painted
in grisaille, iron-red, gold, black, and
polychrome enamels, depicting the late
12th century female samurai Tomoe
Gozen. She is wearing a full armor,
elaborately decorated with flowers and
gilt mon, and holding a gunpai fan, finely
painted with birds, crashing waves, the
sun and the moon amid pinkish-blue
clouds. Five-character signature Dai Nihon
SOZAN [Great Japan, Sozan] in rectangular
cartouche on a red ground with gold
border on the lower back.
HEIGHT 43 cm
Condition: Besides minimal
wear, the piece is in
absolutely perfect condition.
Provenance: American East
Coast private collection.
Tomoe Gozen was one of
only a few female warriors,
onna-bugeisha, and was
known for her immense
bravery. Due to her fame
and purported beauty she
became a popular figure in
Japanese art.
Estimate EUR 3,000
Starting price EUR 1,500

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