Product Description
7506 Yokokura Kazan (1915-1984)
An iron sculpture with a rough textured surface and a short neck
Japan 20th century Shōwa period
Dimensions: H. 43.5cm x W. 44cm x D. 18cm (17¼” x 17½” x 7¼”)
Tomobako (original box) inscribed:
Lid: Kōgei (Applied Art) Yokokura. Yamagata
Label on lid interior: Yokokura Kazan. Yamagata
Yokokura Kazan (1915-1984) was born and worked in Yamagata Prefecture. Renowned for making iron tea kettles he first exhibited in Nitten (Japan Fine Art Exhibition) in 1951 and went on to receive a prize from the Minister for International Trade and Industry at the Art of Tea and Flower Vessel Exhibition in 1958.
A regular exhibitor at Nitten, Kazan received the Tokusen and Hokuto Prize in 1959 and then the Grand Prix at the World Exposition in Brussels in the same year. In 1960 he received the 6th Saito Mokichi Memorial Award.
Kazan also exhibited at the Japan Modern Arts and Crafts Exhibition from 1961-1965 and five of his pieces were selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for exhibition in the US, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand as well as at the International Art Festival in Berlin.
In 1966 he became a judge at Nitten and in 1972 received a Royal commission to make a tea kettle for the Crown Prince Akihito (b.1933) and Crown Princess Michiko (b.1934) of Japan.
