Okimono or small sculpture in the form of a willow tree in the wind. Of hammered and assembled iron. Signed on the reverse with a chiseled signature by the artist: Ryosuke Saku or Made by Ryosuke (Hashimoto Ryosuke, 1903 – 1962). Showa era, circa 1950 – 1960.

With the tomobako or original box, inscribed on the exterior of the lid: Yanagi Okimono or Willow Sculpture; and on the reverse signed: Ryosuke Saku or Made by Ryosuke; and sealed: Ryosuke.

A modernist metal artist who favored hammered iron, Hashimoto Ryosuke was born in Nagoya. He first exhibited at the government-sponsored art exhibitions with the 2nd Shin-Bunten in 1938. The following year he showed at the 3rd Shin-Bunten and then at the Hoshukuten in 1940. After the Pacific War, he returned to the national salons, exhibiting at the 4th Nitten in 1948; the 5th in 1949; the 10th and 11th in 1954 and 1955; and then the 13th in 1957.

For another example of his work, c.f. Kagedo’s catalogue Blue Wind, number 59.