Hai-zara or ash tray, in a globe form with circular ornamentation and three circular windows cut in the sides. Of cast hakudo or white bronze with a yaki-urushi or baked lacquer finish, the circular motifs inlaid in silver. Signed on the reverse with Churoku’s diamond-form mark and a chiseled signature (softened by the lacquer over-finish): Churoku (Neya Churoku, 1897 – 1987). Showa era, circa 1940.

With the tomobako or original box, signed on the reverse of the lid: Churoku Saku or Made by Churoku, and sealed: Churoku. With the red and white, printed label for K. Hattori & Co applied to the interior of the box lid.

An Osaka artist, Neya Churoku graduated from the Tokyo Bijutsu Gakko (Tokyo School of Fine Arts). Like that of his teacher, Tsuda Shinobu, Churoku’s work displays stylized flowing lines with angular counterpoint. Churoku first participated in the national art exhibitions with the 9th Teiten in 1928. He continued with the 10th – 15th Teiten from 1929 – 1934, winning the tokusen or grand prize at the last one. In 1936, he showed at the Bunten Kansaten and the following year was granted mukansa or non-vetted status at the 1st Shin-Bunten. He also showed at the 2nd, 3rd and 5th Shin-Bunten in 1938, 1939, and 1942, as well as at the Senji Tokubetsuten in 1944. Churoku was also invited to participate in the 1933 World Exposition in Chicago.

For other pieces by Churoku, c.f. number 57 above in this catalogue; see also Kagedo’s catalogue Breaking Light, number 118 for his 1932 Teiten exhibition piece.

This modernist sculpture for smoking would have rolled playfully back and forth. Like the chic moga or modern girls who danced through the 1930s, it charms with an amusing elegance.