TOMITA KOSHICHI I (1854-1910) OR TOMITA KOSHICHI II (1873-1944) and KOSAI (DATES UNKNOWN)

Meiji (1868-1912), Taisho (1912-1926) or Showa (1926-1989) era, early 20th century
The exterior of the kabusebuta (overhanging lid) decorated in silver hiramaki-e and gold takamaki-e with five ayu (sweetfish) leaping in a cascading waterfall beneath an overhanging branch of maple leaves, the interior of the lid with a solitary frog applied in shell crouched over a rock, the inside of the box fitted with a plain wood ita (baseboard) containing the suzuri (ink-grinding stone) and suiteki (water dropper) in the form of two silver maple leaves, signed on the underside of the box Ko within an oval reserve; with a wood tomobako storage box inscribed inside the lid Kurodake ten'nen no taki ryoshibako (Black bamboo document box with design of a natural waterfall) and signed Himonoshi Kosai (Cypress woodworker Kosai) with a seal Ko and Maki-eshi Koshichi (Maki-e craftsman Koshichi) with a kao. 3.5cm x 22cm x 20.5cm (1 3/8in x 8 5/8in x 8 1/16in). (5).
Footnotes:
Among the most renowned lacquer artists of the Meiji era (1868-1912), Tomita Koshichi, was one of those rare craftsmen who deftly combined exceptional technical skills with the sensibilities of modern design. Born in Kyoto as Okumura Koshichi, he studied under Yamamoto Takemitsu and Mitsutoshi from the age of 10. In 1877, he moved to Tokyo, studied under Kiyokawa Morisada, and was adopted by the antique dealer Tomita Isuke, later moving back to Kyoto. His works were selected for both domestic and international exhibitions. Koshichi was succeeded by his leading pupil Tomita Makoto who became Koshichi II; his earliest recorded work dates from 1910, the date of his master's death.
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