This is a suiban (water basin) by Murata Seimin, with the stamp "Dai Nippon Bunsei-nen Seiminju 大日本文政年整珉鋳". The carvings on the side are a dragon and a turtle, and the other side is a phoenix and a lion. The intricate patterns on each surface also show a high level of artistry. The four legs are in good condition with almost no wobbling. Although there are signs of wear and marks on the inside due to age, I think it is in very good condition for a water basin that is approximately 150-200 years old. It has a strong presence and a profound feel, so I'm sure you'll be satisfied with this suiban. Murata Seimin was born in Edo during the late Edo period and lived in Ryukamachi, Kanda. He was also known by the alias Sojiro and the pseudonym Seimin Kitatokusou. He left behind a variety of works, including ornaments, vases, suiban (shallow containers), and Buddhist altar fittings. Among his notable works are a pair of Tang lion statues at Shinjuku Hanazono Shrine, which were erected in the fourth year of Bunsei (1821), and a complete set of Buddhist altar fittings displayed at the National Museum. His fame skyrocketed when he was commissioned to create a stand for offering prayers at Nikko Toshogu Shrine's 200th-anniversary memorial during the twelfth year of Bunka (1815) by Shogun Ienari and the Kishu Domain Lord. His original surname was Kimura, but he became known as Murata after marrying into the Tamura family and combining both surnames. His disciples included Kimura Toun and Kurihara Teijou, among others. As a disciple of Tagawa Minetake, he established a successful family as a master caster, specializing in wax mold casting. After the passing of the first Seimin (born August 13, 1761, died November 24, 1837), his children were young, so Kimura Toun (originally from Iwate Prefecture), his adopted son and disciple, became the second Seimin. Later, the first Seimin's son (Senjiro) became the third Seimin. Height 11.8 cm Width 47.7 cm Depth 27.3 cm Weight 6700 g Condition: It is in very good condition. Almost no signs of use. 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. Please check your country's import duties before bidding. 090721470910