Crows

On the main body, the vase depicts a vivid image: two crows sitting on a branch of the cherry tree. From the gesture of the crows, we can almost hear the sound of the crow on the right. It is apparent that Namikawa gives the vases cultural connotations by choosing the representative flower, cherry blossoms.

Namikawa’s lineless cloisonné enamel technique, for which he had claimed credit,[2] and his works were highly appreciated, not only in Japan but around the world. His pieces won many awards and were exhibited in various international exhibitions[3].“濤川惣助【帝室技芸員/七宝】,” KURAYA, February 14, 2019.

In 1885 for example, he won two awards; one at Amsterdam Colonial, the Export Trade Exhibition, and a second in Germany at the Nuremberg International Metalwork Exhibition. He also participated in the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago and the Japan-British Exhibition held in London in 1910. His very high status in Japanese art circles of the Meiji period is further illustrated by his appointment as Imperial Household Artist. He was one of the two only cloisonné artists ever to receive the honor of working for the Japanese Emperor[4].“Vase,” V&A search the collections, November 9, 2020, http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1267064/vase-namikawa-sosuke/ As an imperial craftsman, he specialized in producing diplomatic presents for foreign dignitaries, which were very well received abroad as well as by local dignitaries and noblemen.

Namikawa Sosuke was one of the most representative and influential artist-craftsmen of the Meiji period (1890 to 1910), known as the ‘golden age’ of Japanese enamels. The approval of the imperial family ensured the high value of his work . His work increased in value because of his reputation and fame. The value of the vase was further increased because it was hand-made instead of mass-produced. The amount of gold and silver also ensures and enhances its value. The detail in artworks produced in the Meiji period was incomparable to other counterparts, such as China and Korea. Even nowadays it is hardly matched in Japan. Exhibitions throughout the world brought Meiji-period metalworkers high praise. All the creations were sold at unbelievably high prices by collectors and galleries around the world.

Moreover, as Japanese Cloisonné has significant historical value and represents Japanese culture integrally, it is a common diplomatic gift to heads of state.

During the Meiji period, a pair similar to this one was valuable because of the maker’s fame and the innovative technique used in the vase, which the Meiji Emperor used as decoration. You even see them in paintings. Before you leave, have a look at one of those paintings with us.