Seltenes Bronzepaar – Rōgata-Guss-Skulptur des Nitten-Künstlers Murata Hiroshi - Bronze - 村田宏 Murata Hiroshi（1936- ) - Japan - 1900–2000

Item Description
村田宏 Murata Hiroshi（1936- )
A rare and captivating pair of bronze tiger figurines — one standing, one reclining — crafted using the traditional rōgata chūzō (lost-wax casting) technique by celebrated Takaoka metalwork artist Murata Hiroshi. The pair represents the zodiac tiger (tora) and is presented as a husband-and-wife (married couple) set, a motif deeply rooted in Japanese auspicious symbolism.
Each figurine is rendered with extraordinary attention to anatomical detail: the striated muscle definition, layered fur texture, and dynamic posture bring the tigers to vivid life in bronze. The standing tiger projects alert authority with an open mouth, while the reclining tiger exudes composed power. The warm, deep bronze patina lends the pair a sense of timeless gravitas.
Murata Hiroshi was a Nitten (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition) artist and master of the rōgata technique, known for his meticulous and highly detailed model-making. These pieces are a superb example of Takaoka douki — Japan's foremost traditional copper and bronze craft, designated as a National Traditional Craft in 1975.
Comes with the original wooden box (paulownia wood box, kiribako), bearing the artist's inscription and seal.

Size
Standing Tiger:
Height: 4.5 cm
Width (length): 13.5 cm
Depth: 3.5 cm
Reclining Tiger:
Height: 3.5 cm
Width (length): 9 cm
Depth: 5 cm

Weight
371 g

Condition
The figurines themselves are in good condition with no notable damage; the original wooden storage box shows some soiling as visible in the photographs.

Artist Profile
村田宏 Murata Hiroshi（1936- )
Born in 1936 in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, Murata Hiroshi is a distinguished metalwork artist (kinko sakka) specializing in Takaoka douki — Japan's premier bronze casting tradition. He trained under Murata Yoshio, a Nitten (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition) councillor, mastering the pen mold (wax model) technique. From 1952, he worked at the Takaoka Municipal Metal Technology Guidance Center. He achieved his first acceptance to the Nitten in 1957 (13th exhibition) and went on to be accepted multiple times, also exhibiting at the Japan Contemporary Craft Exhibition from 1964. Renowned for the extraordinary fineness of his model-making, Murata Hiroshi is regarded as one of the leading artists of the Takaoka douki tradition.

NOITICE:

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