A rare and important glass mizusashi (water container for the tea ceremony) by Toshichi Iwata, the founding father of modern Japanese glass art. Worked predominantly in black glass shot through with swirling threads of amber, gold, and blue, the piece's dramatic kakiage (raked, drawn-up) texture gives it an almost molten, wave-like presence — light passing through the piece reveals a shifting, painterly landscape of colour within the glass itself. A black lacquer lid accompanies the vessel. This particular work was exhibited at Iwata's solo exhibition held at the Nihonbashi Takashimaya flagship store in May 1959, and carries an etched signature on the base reading "1959 Toshichi" with his kakihan (personal seal mark), confirming both date and exhibition provenance. Comes with the original tomobako and silk tomonuno wrapper. 【Artist Profile】 Toshichi Iwata (1893-1980) is regarded as the founding figure of modern Japanese glass art. Born into a wealthy kimono wholesaling family in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, he trained in metalwork and Western-style painting at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts) before turning to glass. He won a Silver Medal at the 1937 Paris International Exposition of Arts and Techniques, and went on to receive the Japan Art Academy Prize in 1951, becoming a full Member of the Japan Art Academy in 1954. He was appointed an advisor to the Nitten exhibition in 1958, served as a director of the Japan Kogei Association, and was recognised as a Person of Cultural Merit in 1970. Iwata's mastery of colour glass and controlled air bubbles opened an entirely new territory for the medium in Japan, influencing generations of glass artists including his own son, Hisatoshi Iwata. His work is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Iwata passed away in 1980. This is a finite body of work. 【Condition】 Excellent. Minor signs of age commensurate with careful storage. 【Shipping】 Carefully packed and shipped internationally with full tracking for safe delivery. Size: H 16.3 x Diameter 23 cm ※Important Information – Please Read Before Bidding※ Customs duties, VAT, and import clearance fees are not included in the shipping cost and are the responsibility of the buyer. These charges vary depending on your country's import regulations and are beyond the seller's control. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. All items are carefully packed and promptly shipped with tracking to ensure safe delivery. Please bid with confidence