A MAKUZU KOZAN STUDIO CELADON-GLAZED PORCELAIN OKIMONO OF A SHISHI Studio of Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916), sealed Makuzu Japan, 20th century Boldly modeled, the single-horned mythical beast standing four-square, looking upwards and baring fangs. The fierce expression with bushy brows, separately molded eyes, and large ears flanking its long horn. Its body is decorated with raised bumps, its spine boldly articulated, and its tail bifurcated. The base with the studio seal MAKUZU. LENGTH 21.5 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Provenance: The Kura, Kyoto, Japan. Collection of James and Christine Heusinger, acquired from the above. James and Christine Heusinger started collecting Japanese art in the late 1970s. James and Chirstine worked for a travel agency until James became a prominent carpenter, whose company renovated the office of US Vice President Dick Cheney’s office. His collection began with a modest piece by Seifu Yohei III, and expanded into over 100 pieces. They donated the majority of their pieces to the Cleveland Museum of Art, University Hospitals of Cleveland, and Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo. With a wooden tomobako box inscribed Okimono 置物 and to the back of the lid: 青磁釉、獅子、真葛香山作, with the seal 真葛香山 "Seijiyu, shishi, Makuzu Kozan saku, with the seal Makuzu Kozan" [Blue celadon glaze, shishi lion, made by Makuzu Kozan, with the seal Makuzu Kozan]. Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916), also known as Miyagawa Kozan, was a potter who moved his ceramics studio from his hometown of Kyoto to the port city of Yokohama in 1870. His early works copying styles and forms derived from earlier Japanese and Chinese ceramics soon found favor with Western buyers and his business quickly expanded. Kozan’s work was also much admired within Japan and achieved special notoriety after the Meiji Emperor touched one of his vases at the First National Industrial Exhibition in 1877.