Vase in a tall faceted geometric form with triple pierced rectilinear handles, of cast and cold chiseled bronze with an applied benido or mottled red patina. Signed with a chiseled signature on the reverse by the artist, Yasumi Saku or Made by Yasumi (Yasumi Toyoji, active circa 1905 – 1950). Showa era, circa 1950.

With the tomobako or original box, inscribed on the exterior of the lid: Chudo Koto No Ne or Cast Bronze (Vase Titled) Sound of the Harp, and signed: Yasumi, and sealed: Yasumi. Included inside the box is a printed curriculum vitae of the artist ending with a Nitten acceptance in Showa 25 or 1950, strongly indicating that this vase was created about this point late in Yasumi Toyoji’s career.

Yasumi Toyoji was the first generation of the Nakajima family of casters. He was the father of Nakajima Mitsuo, 1906 – 1988 (also known by the Go or art name, Yasumi). Yasumi Toyoji first won an award in Meiji 41 or 1908, when he won first prize at the Senkatsu Kinen Exposition. After the death of the Meiji Emperor in 1912, he was commissioned by Osaka City to make a silver ship ornament as a gift to the Taisho Emperor upon his coronation. Yasumi made designs for the Japanese mint in 1925, and helped jury the Japanese delegation to the Paris International Exposition, at which he also received a prize for his work. In 1926 he was the first Japanese craft artist accepted into the Paris Salon. A frequent exhibitor at the Teiten from 1927, Yasumi also continued to exhibit abroad, winning a prize at the Belgium Exposition of 1931. Honored by an Imperial purchase of his work in 1932, Yasumi Toyoji also helped to jury the Hoshukuten Exhibit in 1940.