MODERN JAPANESE ART

BRONZE PHOENIX BY TSUDA SHINOBU (1875-1946)

BRONZE PHOENIX BY TSUDA SHINOBU (1875-1946)

Japan, 1930’s

Height: 40 cm

Provenance: private collection, Japan

This bronze okimono by Tsuda Shinobu depicts a finely crafted phoenix perched atop a rugged rock formation. The bird is elegantly poised, its head held high with a gracefully curved neck, exuding a sense of dignity and majesty. The sculpted feathers display intricate detailing, with layered wing and tail plumes that gently curve, adding a dynamic sense of movement. The long, flowing tail feathers cascade down the rock, enhancing the composition’s verticality.

Rendered in a smooth, dark bronze finish, the piece showcases Tsuda Shinobu’s mastery of form and material. The contrast between the bird’s refined, polished body and the rough texture of the base creates a striking visual balance. The choice of the phoenix, a symbol of immortality and renewal in East Asian culture, further elevates the significance of the work. This okimono is not just a decorative object but a testament to traditional Japanese metalworking craftsmanship at its finest. The artist’s signature, “Daiju”, is engraved on the lower back of the pedestal.

Tsuda Shinobu (art name: Daiju) (1875–1946) was a pioneering figure in modern metal craftsmanship. He graduated from the Metal Casting Department of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts) and later served as a juror at the 1925 Paris Exposition. In his later years, he was an active member of the Imperial Academy of Arts.

Commissioned by the Ministry of Education to study in Europe, he immersed himself in the Art Deco style, which was at its peak at the time. He skillfully integrated its aesthetic into his own work, leaving a lasting impact on Japanese metalwork.

Renowned both for his realistic sculptures and his mastery of Art Deco design, Tsuda’s work is celebrated for its refined artistic sensibility and exceptional technical precision.

Works by Tsuda Shinobu are held in many leading museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo, the Japanese craft museum in Kanazawa and many others.

Price on Request

Object #263