SIGNED TOYOCHIKA, SHOWA PERIOD (1950S-1960S)

Born in Tokyo in 1890, the third son of the wood-carver and sculptor Takamura Koun, Takamura Toyochika graduated in 1915 from the Metalwork Department of Tokyo Bijutsu Gakko [Tokyo Art School] where he evidently studied under Tsuda Shinobu (see Lot 110). As a member of the Kokkosha [Dark Radiance], Mukei [Formless], Jitsuzai Kogei [Real Craft] and other groups he promoted the modernisation of the traditional crafts before joining Tokyo Bijutsu Gakko first as assistant and later, in 1933, as full professor. A regular exhibitor at the the official Teiten [Imperial Exhibition] and its successors, after World War II he served as a member of the Nihon Geijutsuin [Japan Art Academy]. In 1964 he was named Mukei Bunkazai Hojisha [Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property] in the chukin category. Takamura's metalwork is characterised by simplicity, high technical skill and a refined modernist aesthetic.¹

1 Tokyo Kokuritsu Kindai Bijutsukan Kogeikan [Crafts Gallery, National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo], Gendai Nihon kogei no shusaku [Masterpieces of Contemporary Japanese Crafts] (Tokyo, 1978), cat. nos. 105-7 and biographical supplement.