Kawasaki Toyama

Satsuma ware (Satsuma yaki), recognisable by the crackled cream glaze that forms the backdrop of these highly decorative earthenware vessels, were particularly sought after in the export market during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Idealised imagery of a past Japan, even then long gone, adorned these wares with scenes of birds and flowers, the four seasons and samurai amongst others.

Here, there are two groups of scenes: bijin [lit. beautiful women] enjoying a seasonal pastime, and warriors performing acts of valour. Each panel is titled as follows:

Spring Outing (Haru no asobi)

Nanko’s farewell (Nanko ketsubetsu)

Autumn by a Pond (Aki no chihan)

Fiercely Deflecting Arrows (Ebira no funto)

The first shows two young ladies admiring cherry trees in spring bloom, referred to in Japan as hanami [lit. viewing flowers]. The second depicts the historical figure Kusunoki Masashige (1294-1336) entrusting his will to his son before departing to a battle of certain defeat. The third portrays two further young ladies beside the bank of a pond surrounded by autumnal foliage and chrysanthemums. The fourth shows a samurai masterfully blocking a flurry of arrow fire with his sword.

Kawasaki Toyama (circa 1875-1922) is also thought to have signed his works under the artist name Ryu’un Fuzan.