TSUISHU YOZEI XX: A FINE TSUISHU LACQUER ‘MOON HARE POUNDING MOCHI’ KOGO (INCENSE BOX)

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TSUISHU YOZEI XX: A FINE TSUISHU LACQUER ‘MOON HARE POUNDING MOCHI’ KOGO (INCENSE BOX) By Tsuishu Yozei XX (1880-1952), signed Yozei zo Japan, early 20th century, Taisho period (1912-1926) Of circular form, finely carved in high relief (takabori) in red lacquer (tsuishu) with a moon hare standing with legs spread, energetically pounding rice cakes (mochi). The fur is delicately textured and the eyes neatly incised, set against a dense asanoha (hemp-leaf) ground. The scene is framed by a band of stylized waves, while the reverse is decorated with a continuous band of leafy foliage. The underside is signed YOZEI zo [made by Yozei]. The interior is finished in lustrous roiro lacquer. DIAMETER 7.3 cm With the original wood tomobako (storage box) inscribed: Tamausagi Yozei zo with seal, 玉兔、楊成造, [jade rabbit, made by Yozei]. This popular motif originates in China, where the rabbit is often portrayed as a companion of the Moon goddess Chang’e, constantly pounding the elixir of life for her. In the Japanese variation, the lunar hare is often seen pounding rice cake (mochi), as depicted in the present kogo. Born in Kyoto, Tsuishu Yozei XX was the second son of Tsuishu Yozei XVIII, head of a distinguished lineage of lacquer artists specializing in carved red lacquer in the Chinese style. At the age of sixteen, he succeeded to the family atelier in 1896 following the untimely death of his elder brother, Yozei XIX. He trained under leading artists of the time, including Shirayama Shosai (1853-1923), Ishikawa Komei (1852-1913), and Satake Eiko (1836-1909). Yozei XX quickly distinguished himself by revitalizing the tradition of carved lacquer with a refined and dynamic approach, as exemplified by the present work. He exhibited extensively at the Bunten and its successor exhibitions, participating eighteen times between 1927 and 1951. Although he passed away before the institution of the Living National Treasure designation in 1955, his achievements firmly place him among the leading lacquer artists of modern Japan. Museum comparison: Compare a related tsuishu lacquer kogo with a grasshopper by the same artist, dated to 1922, in the National Crafts Museum, Kanazawa Ishikawa, collection ID no. Lc0393.

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