Japan Museum Bronze National Hero Samurai Saigo Takamori, Koga Tadao, 23″
$6,500.00
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Described by the Meiji government. Historian Ivan Morris as:
“the quintessential hero of modern Japanese history”
Japan a likely one-of-a -kind sculpture of
Saigo Takamori with the original 1976 oversized example residing at the Kagoshima park.
Name of the sculpture is Saigo Takamori and this bronze dates to 1960/1970s,
It was designed and cast ny midcentury master sculptor Koga Tadao (Meiji 36 (1903) to Showa 54 (1979).
Classic contented robed male with cross arms in a midcentury pose complete with Koga’s trademark encircled cross on all three sides. This work of art invites you to explore its finer details.
Dimensions: 23 inches high and 8 inches diameter
Signed on three extremeties with Koga’s emblemetic cross in circle. Estimated Date of Issue: 1960s/1970s.
References:
1 see photo from Saigo Takamori Park.
2 Catalog Of Collections- Saga Prefecture Art Museum, 1989 for similar male themed examples:
Provenance: local Saga Prefecture, Japan collection – likely one of a kind. No other examples are known.
Sculptor Artisan: Koga Tadao (1903-1979)
Koga Tadao graduated from the Technical School Arita, then went to Tokyo and enrolled in the Tokyo Bijutsu Gakko the precursor of Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku and studied sculpture. In 1929, as a student, a sculpture by him entitled “Buddhist Heart” (Busshin) was accepted for the 10th ” Teiten ” exhibition. The following year he graduated from the school. He continued to exhibit in various places. His work “Man on the Cape” Misaki no Otoko) at the Shin-Bunten Exhibition 1939 received an honorable mention. His sculpture “Building Greater East Asia” (Tatsu Daitoa) received a 1942 Award by the Academy of Arts . His work entitled “Summer work” ( Natsu no Saku), which he exhibited in the same year, was acquired by the Ministry of Culture.
In 1962 (Haisen kara tachinaoru Nippon) was erected and in 1964 on the same site Koga’s sculpture “Resurrection of Japan after the lost war”, was erected. In 1964 Koga became chairman of the “Japanese Society of Sculpture” (Nihon Choso-kai), and in 1966 he became a member of the Academy of Arts . In 1968 he was highly honored as a director and leading member in the Department of Sculpture of ” Nitten. ” By 1971 he became president of the “Japanese Society of Stone Sculptures” (Nihon Tocho-kai) and was awarded the Order of Merit.
Koga’s works are known for their distinctive masculine style, though he has created in the last years smaller scale and simplified, empathetic works, such as his series of crows and ducks. On the other hand, there are monumental works by him, such as “Vision of a Forest” (Mori no Genso) – a listening man who was set up in 1973 in his hometown of Saga, and “In Memory of the Cradle of Japanese Medicine “(Nihon Igaku Hassho Kinen-zo), which was built the following year in Oita . The latter shows a doctor treating with assistants at a hospital bed.
In 1994 well after his death, the Saga Prefecture Art Museum (established a sculpture grove park in Koga’s honor by installing over twenty of his monumental bronze works in Saga Castle Park, the lush gardens surrounding the museum.
This impressive oversized 84” tall bronze sculpture “Male Reborn” created in about 1950-1960 from his later period is artistically representative of the international art world’s fascination and popularity of the nude human body in sculptural form. Of particular prominence, this sculpture may be viewed as a unique back drop to Koga’s working portrait photograph as seen in the Saga Art Museum’s garden grove park display (photo).
Our gallery has been dealing in authentic Japanese and Fine Asian art, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. Our president personally travels to Japan and Europe each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique work of art to ensure its old age, authenticity and quality condition.
For further information please call Douglas on our dedicated 1stdibs telephone line.
Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. We are members of NAJGA- North American Japanese Garden Association.
Item Details
- Dimensions: N/A
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