This is an impressive Japanese bronze suiban (水盤) by the distinguished metalworker Kimura Toun (木村渡雲), dating from the late Edo to early Meiji period. The underside bears the cast signature 「渡雲鋳」 (Toun ju / Cast by Toun). Kimura Toun was the adopted son and disciple of the celebrated Edo-period metalworker Murata Seimin (村田整珉, 1761–1837). He succeeded his master as the second-generation Seimin, continuing the distinguished metal-casting tradition established by the first generation. Dragon and Phoenix The most striking feature of this suiban is its exceptionally rich decoration. One long side is decorated with a powerful dragon (龍 / ryū) emerging among stylised clouds. Its head, scales, claws and long twisting body are modelled in pronounced relief, creating a remarkable sense of movement and depth. The opposite side depicts a magnificent phoenix (鳳凰 / hō-ō) with outstretched wings and an elegant, flowing tail. The long feathers are individually articulated, giving the bird a graceful sense of movement across the surface. The dragon and phoenix are among the most important auspicious creatures in East Asian art. The dragon is traditionally associated with power, strength and authority, while the phoenix is associated with virtue, peace and prosperity. Their combination has long been regarded as a particularly auspicious pairing. Exceptionally Detailed Surface Decoration Beyond the dragon and phoenix themselves, the entire vessel displays an extraordinary degree of decorative detail. The background is densely covered with repeating geometric and archaistic patterns, creating an intricate textured field behind the raised figures. Similar patterns continue across other areas of the vessel and even onto the architectural-style feet. This dense background decoration provides a particularly effective contrast with the deeply modelled dragon and phoenix, allowing the principal motifs to stand out strongly from the surface. The four feet have an unusual angular construction and are themselves decorated, demonstrating that considerable attention was given not only to the principal sides but to the overall design of the vessel. Even when viewed from different angles, new details become visible, giving the suiban a strong three-dimensional and sculptural presence. Kimura Toun 木村渡雲 Kimura Toun was an important metalworker who inherited the tradition of Murata Seimin, one of the noted master casters of the late Edo period. The first Murata Seimin (1761–1837), originally of the Kimura family, was renowned for his skill in lost-wax casting (rōgata / 蝋型鋳造) and produced a wide range of sophisticated metal objects, including Buddhist implements, flower vessels, ornaments and suiban. He received important commissions during the Edo period and became particularly respected for the refinement of his casting. In 1829, Kimura Toun, Seimin's adopted son and pupil, succeeded him as the second-generation Murata Seimin. The first Seimin's biological son, Senjirō, later became the third generation. Historical records and surviving works identify Toun as an accomplished metalworker in his own right. Interestingly, an early history of Japanese casting specifically records that Toun was particularly skilled in the production of dragons, making the powerful dragon decoration of this suiban especially noteworthy. Works by Kimura Toun were already being presented as works of an old master by the beginning of the 20th century; a bronze flower vase by him was recorded in a 1906 exhibition publication. Signature The underside bears a rectangular cartouche with the inscription: 「渡雲鋳」 This may be translated as “Cast by Toun.” Comparable works attributed to Kimura Toun are also known bearing the same 「渡雲鋳」 mark. With its powerful dragon on one side, graceful phoenix on the other, exceptionally dense background decoration and the signed 「渡雲鋳」 mark, this suiban has a remarkable sculptural presence from every angle. Particularly fascinating is the historical record that Kimura Toun was especially accomplished in creating dragons, making the finely modelled dragon on this work an especially compelling feature. The combination of distinguished authorship, intricate casting, auspicious symbolism and a beautifully aged bronze surface makes this an impressive example of late Edo to early Meiji Japanese metalwork and a particularly appealing piece for collectors of Japanese bronze and traditional metal art. Height 10.9 cm Width 40.3 cm Depth 24.5 cm Weight 3890 g Condition: It is in good condition considering its age. There are signs of wear, spots, scratches, dirt, etc. due to age. Please see photos for condition. Please see the numerous photos for more details. Atention: The items listed for sale are all used collectibles. Please consider them to have signs of aging, such as stains, scratches, scuffs, tears, discoloration, fading, fraying, and changes in thread color. We will post as many photos as possible to make it easy to understand. As these are old items, we appreciate your understanding before making a purchase. Shipping: The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan. We will use either DHL or FedEx for a safe and secure transportation. It usually takes about 2-3 weeks for delivery, and the package will be shipped with a tracking number. Import duties, taxes, VAT, and any other charges are not included in the item price and shipping cost. 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