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Lot Essay
The premier lacquer artist of his time, Shosai began his career as an apprentice to the swordsmith Notoya Isaburo, training under him for 5 years. In 1869, he transitioned to the art of lacquerware, studying under renowned masters Kobayashi Manjiro, Itakura Toyojiro and Gamo Morikazu. In 1890, Shosai joined the semi-governmental corporation Kiryu Kosho Kaisha (The First Japanese Manufacturing and Trading Company), a prestigious organization that brought together some of Japan’s most skilled artisans.
Shosai was later appointed as an assistant professor at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts), a significant recognition of his expertise. However, he resigned after 3 years to pursue independent work. Following his departure from academia, he established his own lacquer workshop, where he mentored a new generation of artists, including Uzawa Shogetsu (see lot 178) and Moriya Shotei. His contributions to the field were further recognized in 1906 when he was appointed Teishitsu Gigeiin (Imperial Household Artist), a prestigious title granted to artists of exceptional skill who contributed to the cultural legacy of Japan. His mastery of lacquerware left a lasting impact, ensuring his place in the history of Japanese decorative arts.
Jan Dees, a leading expert on modern Japanese lacquer, describes the current lacquer box in his article "Japanese Lacquer Artist—Shirayama Shosai," published in Arts of Asia (vol. 32:2). He notes that the first datable feather decoration was created for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904 which awarded a silver medal (current lot). The use of feather motifs in the polished-out togidashi technique became Shosai’s most famous design, replicated in numerous variations.
Shosai was later appointed as an assistant professor at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts), a significant recognition of his expertise. However, he resigned after 3 years to pursue independent work. Following his departure from academia, he established his own lacquer workshop, where he mentored a new generation of artists, including Uzawa Shogetsu (see lot 178) and Moriya Shotei. His contributions to the field were further recognized in 1906 when he was appointed Teishitsu Gigeiin (Imperial Household Artist), a prestigious title granted to artists of exceptional skill who contributed to the cultural legacy of Japan. His mastery of lacquerware left a lasting impact, ensuring his place in the history of Japanese decorative arts.
Jan Dees, a leading expert on modern Japanese lacquer, describes the current lacquer box in his article "Japanese Lacquer Artist—Shirayama Shosai," published in Arts of Asia (vol. 32:2). He notes that the first datable feather decoration was created for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904 which awarded a silver medal (current lot). The use of feather motifs in the polished-out togidashi technique became Shosai’s most famous design, replicated in numerous variations.