Moon Reflected on Water Fruit Tray (Kudamono-kago)
Sakaguchi Sōunsai Japanese
Not on view
In the early twentieth century, the Japanese government organized annual exhibitions called the Bunten, which were reorganized in 1919 and renamed the Imperial Art Academy Exhibitions, or Teiten. Not until 1927 was an “art-craft” section included, however, and bamboo works were not accepted until 1929.
The first bamboo artists to exhibit in the Teiten were both Osaka-based disciples of Tanabe Chikuunsai I: Yamamoto Chikuryūsai I and Sakaguchi Sōunsai. This exquisite modern-style fruit tray, inspired by the reflection of the moon in water, was considered an unexpected submission because flower baskets were the standard.
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