Page 86 - Christies Japanese and Korean Art Sept 22 2020 NYC

An Edo (later Tokyo) native, Katsuhiro apprenticed as a boy to a document dated 1936, the greatest craftsmen of the day were
carver of Noh masks before studying drawing under Shibata Zeshin involved in the present work, naming Tomioka Fumitaro as
and metalworking under Nomura Katsumori and the eminent working on the black-lacquered shagreen exterior of the box, and
Kano Natsuo. A frequent participant in national and international Kawanobe Itcho (1831-1910) who lacquered the nashiji ground of
exhibitions, he was appointed a professor at the Tokyo School interior of the box. Apprenticed to the eminent Komai Family of
of Fine Arts in 1903. Like his mentor Natsuo, Katsuhiro joined lacquers, Itcho was highly skilled at traditional lacquer techniques
the elite membership of Teishitsu Gigeiin (Artists to the Imperial and he was appointed an Imperial Household Artist (Teishitsu
Household) in 1906, insuring him important commissions, gigeiin) in 1896.
exposure and recognition. Katsuhiro is especially known as a master
of katakiri-bori technique (sculpting with oblique cuts of the chisel This important work was made under the supervision of Katsuhiro
in simulation of brush strokes) showing extremely delicate lines and in order to showcase the excellence of Meiji period metalwork and
graceful figures on this work. lacquer work achieved by the great artists of the day.
The present work was exhibited at the Japan-British Exhibition
in 1910 and won a gold prize. According to the accompanying

Accompanied document signed by Kagawa Katsukiyo (1894-1967)