Bronze Flower Vase

Takamura Toyochika’s father was the sculptor Takamura Koun, and his elder brother was the poet and sculptor Takamura Kotaro. Toyochika was not only active as a creator, but also inspired his contemporaries intellectually. In the late Taisho era (1912–26), he played a central role in forming the group Mukei, which left an indelible mark on the history of modern Japanese crafts through its publications and discussions on the nature of expression. While they championed stylelessness, their focus gradually shifted towards the forms of objects, from the surface decoration. This work features patterned and striated decorations on its surface, but stands out primarily for its form, comprising two interconnected cones of varying sizes. (N.R.)