Japanese Works of Art - 17th May 2022
Lot 235
A JAPANESE BRONZE OKIMONO OF PRINCE SHOTOKU
Estimate £300 - £500 | Hammer £700
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Description
A JAPANESE BRONZE OKIMONO OF PRINCE SHOTOKU
MEIJI OR SHOWA, 20TH CENTURY
Shotoku Taishi is depicted as a youth standing on a rocky outcrop and pointing in the distance, wearing a short tunic and with his hair arranged in typical style, a falcon perched on his left arm, the back with lines of calligraphy, possibly including a signature for artist Hata Shokichi (1882-1966), 25cm.
Provenance: an English private collection, Somerset, purchased in Japan.
Prince Shotoku Taishi (574-622) was a semi-legendary Crown Prince and Regent to the Empress Suiko during the Asuka period (538-710). He became an important political and cultural leader modernizing the government administration. He also promoted Buddhism and is sometimes regarded as one of its founders in Japan.