Earthenware vase in the Satzuma style, Yokohama, Japan, Meij - Lot 189

Earthenware vase in the Satzuma style, Yokohama, Japan, Meiji period, 1868-1912 Of baluster form, decorated in light relief, in reserves on a gold-glazed mesh and cloud background, with various Japanese mountains with gold inscriptions of their names and geographical location in the various provinces of Japan. The reserves are surrounded by polychrome floral decorations. The vase is also embellished with various animals in relief in the characteristic Makuzu Kozan style. Dragons around the neck and birds on the shoulder and bottom of the vase. Three inscriptions 日本横濱清 appear in reserves at the base of the frieze of white foliage on a gold background. 水研圃画 宮 川香山造 Nihon Yokohama, Shimizu Tenko ga (designed by Shimizu Tenko) Miyagawa Kōzan saku (made by Miyagawa Kōzan). A blue enamelled inscription under the base gives information about this vase. It reads: "Year 2537 of the imperial calendar, 10th year of Meiji (1877), one day in early autumn. Exhibition in Ueno, in the capital of the East (Tokyo). Made by Makuzu Kōzan." 帝国紀元二千五百卅十七年明治十年 初秋日東都上野至奉備博覧会場. 真葛香山 製造 This vase was therefore presented at the first national industrial exhibition in 1877 H. 59 cm (firing defect and restoration to the neck) The National Industrial Exhibitions (内国勧業博覧会, Naikoku Kangyō Hakurankai) were a series of five exhibitions in Meiji Japan, held between 1877 and 1903, the first three in Tokyo, the fourth in Kyoto, the last in Osaka. The first National Industrial Exhibition (1877), held in Tokyo's Ueno Park from August 21 to November 30, 1877, lasted 102 days and attracted 454,168 visitors, an average of 4,453 per day. Sponsored by Ōkubo Toshimichi, the first head of the Ministry of the Interior, it was inspired by Japan's participation in the Vienna World's Fair of 1873. The site included a fine arts building, Japan's first bijutsukan or art gallery, a term coined in connection with national industrial exhibitions and later reassigned to more permanent art museums.