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BRONZE TURTLES GROUP, HONMA TAKUSAI – MEIJI

Reference: 2023-1167

Group of three turtles in bronze with dark brown patina. They are detachable, the two smaller ones being attached to the larger one by rods.

In Japan, the turltle (kame) is a symbol of longevity. An auspicious animal, it is believed to bring ten thousand years of happiness.

Signed Takusai (琢斎) on the inner shell of the largest turtle. Honma Takusai (本間琢斎) have been foundrymen for six generations.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912), Honma Takusai

Large turtle: width 5.5 in (14.5 cm) – depth 10.6 in (27 cm) – height 3.9 in (10.4 cm)

Medium turtle: width 3.1 (8.3 cm) – depth 5.5 (14 cm) – height 1.2 in (3.5 cm)

Small turtle: width 2.7 in (6.5 cm) – depth 3.9 in (10 cm) – height 1.2 in (3.4 cm)

CONTACT THE GALLERY

Honma Takusai I (1812-1891), born under the name Bunpei in the village of Okubo (act. Kashiwazaki). Son of Hara Tokusai, a copper pot founder, he inherited the family business and learned the lost-wax casting technique from Obata Dosai in Edo (act. Tokyo). He then passed on management to his younger brother and third son and moved to Sado, where he succeeded the Honma family in the Ikarikagomachi district (now Sawanekagomachi, Sado city).  At the request of Sado magistrate Nakagawa Hidanokami Takusai in 1847, he produced the first lost-wax cast-iron cannons. After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, artillery production was no longer necessary, so he joined the Honma Rokubei family in Sawanekagomachi and set up his own foundry, producing works of art such as bells, lanterns and vases. Among the materials he uses is hanshido bronze (斑紫銅), an alloy that results in irregular oxidation, giving the appearance of purple to violet spots.

Honma Takusai II (1846-1904)

Honma Takusai III (1868-1904)

Honma Takusai IV (1893-1967)

Honma Takusai V (1922-2001)

Honma Takusai VI ( ?- ?): eldest son of Honma Takusai V.

BRONZE CRICKET INSECT – MEIJIDRAGONGLY INSECT JIZAI – MEIJI