5 - † OSHIMA JOUN: A FINE BRONZE OKIMONO OF URASHIMA TARO RIDING A TURTLE

† OSHIMA JOUN: A FINE BRONZE OKIMONO OF URASHIMA TARO RIDING A TURTLE By Oshima Joun (1858-1940), signed Ichijoken Joun zo Japan, early 20th century, Meiji (1868-1912) to Taisho period (1912-1926) Masterfully cast as the legendary fisherman Urashima Taro seated astride a large turtle, leaning backward with his head raised and a joyful, almost dreamy expression. His smiling face is sensitively modeled, with gently narrowed eyes and long, flowing hair finely incised in undulating strands. He wears loosely draped robes and a skirt of finely textured grasses secured by a braided cord, with a small gourd suspended at his waist. The turtle is rendered in lively motion, its head extended forward, with alert eyes, a hooked beak, and powerful scaly legs terminating in sharp claws. The underside signed within a reserve ICHIJOKEN JOUN zo [made by Ichijoken Joun]. HEIGHT 18 cm, LENGTH 25 cm WEIGHT 3 kg Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear. Oshima Joun (1858-1940), also known by his art name Ichijoken, was one of the most celebrated Japanese bronze casters of the Meiji period. Born in Edo as Oshima Katsujiro, he trained under his father, the metalworker Oshima Takajiro, mastering the lost-wax casting technique (rogata chuzo) for which he became renowned. His exceptionally naturalistic sculptures, often representing animals and mythical figures, are distinguished by their expressive modeling and meticulous surface detailing. He exhibited widely, receiving a gold medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1900 for his bronze of sparrows amid rice stalks. From 1890 to 1932, he taught metal casting at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, becoming a professor in 1918. His works are preserved in important institutions, including the Tokyo National Museum and the University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts. Urashima Taro is a legendary Japanese fisherman who rescues a turtle and is rewarded with a journey to the underwater Dragon Palace (Ryugu-jo), where he is welcomed by the beautiful Princess Otohime. Upon returning home, he discovers that centuries have passed, and when he opens a mysterious treasure box given to him by the princess, he is instantly transformed into an old man. Auction comparison: Compare another related bronze okimono of Gamma Sennin by the same artist, signed Ichijoken Joun with seal Joun, dated to the Taisho-Showa period, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 12 May 2009, London, lot 228 (sold for GBP 16,800 or approx. EUR 27,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.