231 - TOKUDA YASOKICHI III (DESIGNATED LIVING NATIONAL TREASURE): A FINE KUTANI-GLAZED PORCELAIN FLOWER VASE

TOKUDA YASOKICHI III (DESIGNATED LIVING NATIONAL TREASURE): A FINE KUTANI-GLAZED PORCELAIN FLOWER VASE By Tokuda Yasokichi III (1933-2009), signed Kutani Masahiko Japan, late 20th century, Showa (1926-1989) to Heisei period (1989-2019) Finely potted, the slender body gently flaring towards the base and rising to a slightly waisted neck with a circular mouth, covered overall in a rich, lustrous, and finely crackled, blue-green streaked glaze. The recessed base left unglazed and signed below an impressed foliate design KUTANI MASAHIKO. HEIGHT 22.3 cm Condition: Excellent condition. With the original signed and inscribed wood tomobako (storage box) and a biographical note on the artist. Tokuda Yasokichi III was designated a Bearer of Important Intangible Cultural Assets (a ‘Living National Treasure’) in 1997 for his mastery of the innovative saiyu glaze technique, based on traditional Kutani colored glaze enamels as handed down from his grandfather and father, Tokuda Yasokichi I (1873-1956) and Tokuda Yasokichi II (1907-1997). Before he succeeded his father in 1988 as Tokuda Yasokichi III, the artist was known as Tokuda Masahiko. Auction comparison: Compare a related Kutani-glazed porcelain vase, by the same artist, Tokuda Yasokichi III, 29.5 cm high, at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 27 May 2022, Vienna, lot 75 (sold for EUR 5,688).