Vase in a cylindrical faceted form with a flaring rim ornamented with abstracted designs of barley. Of cast bronze inlaid in gold and silver. Signed on the reverse on an inlaid silver plaque with a chiseled signature by the artist: Eiichi Saku or Made by Eiichi (Kanamori Eiichi, 1908 – 2001). Showa 21 or 1946, or earlier.

With the tomobako or original box inscribed on the exterior of the lid: Mugi Moyo Zogan Kabin or Barley Design Inlaid Bronze Vase, and inscribed on the reverse of the lid: Dai Ni-kai Nitten Nyūsen Saku, Showa Ni Ju-ichi Nen Aki, Eiichi Saku or Exhibited in the Autumn at the Second Nitten, Showa 21 (1946), Made by Eiichi, and sealed twice.

Born in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture, Kanamori Eiichi graduated from the Metalworking Department of the Toyama Prefectural Industrial Arts School. He studied under Ichihei Uchijima. Eiichi was first accepted as an exhibitor nationally at the 14th Teiten in 1933. In 1936, he showed at both the Kaiso Dai Ikkai Teiten and the Bunten Kansaten, then in 1940 at the Hōshukuten and in 1941 at the 4th Shin-Bunten. After the Pacific War, he continued to exhibit frequently at the Nitten, including at the 1st – 3rd in 1946 – 1947, at the 6th – 9th in 1950 – 1953, and at the 12th in 1956. He taught at the Takaoka Industrial Arts High School between 1941 and 1966. In 1976, he received the Japan Industrial Art Association Governor’s Award, and in 1980, he received an Order of the Sacred Treasure Award from the Emperor. In 1989, Eiichi was designated Juyo Mukei Bunkazai or Important Intangible Cultural Asset (commonly known as a Living National Treasure).

Though exhibited at the 2nd Nitten in 1946, it is very likely that Eiichi made this vase prior to 1945. The materials would have been unavailable to him during the height of the Pacific War and in the short period of time afterwards. So it is probable that the work dates from 1940 – 1943.

For other pieces by Kanamori Eiichi, c.f. Kagedo’s catalogue Breaking Light, numbers 173, 174, 193, and 194.