Item Description Takaoka Doki (高岡銅器) Bronze Vase with Iridescent Patina and Sculpted Cranes - Signed "Katsumine" (勝峰) - Japanese Cast Bronze with Multi-Color Chemical Patination A stunning Takaoka bronze art vase by the artist Katsumine(勝峰), bearing the artist's incised seal mark in stylized seal-script (tensho) characters - highlighted in gold - on the base. This piece showcases the very pinnacle of the Takaoka bronze tradition - the celebrated Japanese cast bronze craft from Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, which produces 95% of all Japanese bronze ware and has been designated as a Traditional Craft since 1975. The form is a sophisticated multi-paneled bottle vase, with a beautifully proportioned gourd-shaped (hyotan) silhouette: A bulbous lower body rises from a recessed flat base, tapers gracefully into a slender neck, and flares into a delicately turned trumpet mouth. The body is divided into six raised panels, each containing a deeply relief-cast stylized crane (tsuru / 鶴) - depicted with the long neck, elegant beak, and graceful legs that have made the crane the most beloved bird in Japanese art. Two cranes appear on opposite panels - the symbolic pair representing eternal partnership, longevity, and fidelity - making this piece an extraordinarily auspicious work in the Japanese tradition. The textured background within each panel resembles ancient stone or weathered tree bark, providing dramatic contrast with the elevated polished surfaces of the crane figures themselves. The truly extraordinary feature, however, is the surface treatment: The bronze body has been treated with a complex chemical patination technique that has produced an iridescent, almost otherworldly palette - deep midnight blues, brilliant cobalts, glittering turquoise, soft violet-purples, warm bronze, and shimmering gold-leaf-like flecks all bloom across the surface in dynamic, painterly patterns. These effects are NOT applied as paint - they are the result of master metalworkers using carefully selected acids, salts, and mineral compounds to "grow" the colors directly into the surface of the bronze itself through controlled corrosion. This is among the most demanding and prestigious techniques in the entire Takaoka tradition, producing surfaces that no painter could achieve - because every color is integral to the metal itself. The base reveals a remarkable depth of color, with deep blues, purples, and golden constellations, and bears the artist's incised seal "勝峰" (Katsumine) in stylized seal-script characters, highlighted in gold. A truly museum-worthy example of Japanese bronze art - equally suited as a flower vase, as a sculptural object on a display shelf or pedestal, or as the centerpiece of any serious Japanese decorative arts collection. About the Cranes - Symbolism The crane (tsuru / 鶴) is the most beloved and auspicious bird in Japanese culture. According to the famous Japanese proverb, "tsuru wa sennen, kame wa mannen" (鶴は千年、亀は万年) - "the crane lives a thousand years, the turtle ten thousand" - cranes are the supreme symbol of longevity. Cranes are also believed to mate for life, making them powerful symbols of marital devotion, fidelity, and eternal partnership. A pair of cranes is a classical motif particularly used in wedding gifts, longevity celebrations (kanreki and beyond), and ceremonial bronzes - bringing the dual blessings of long life and lasting love to the home where it resides. Artist Profile Katsumine (勝峰) - Takaoka Bronze Artist, Toyama Prefecture The artist's seal "勝峰" (Katsumine) is incised in seal-script characters and highlighted in gold on the base of this vase. While specific biographical details of this particular Katsumine are not widely published, the quality of the casting, the sophistication of the chemical patination, and the deep, expressive relief carving of the cranes all indicate the hand of a skilled master craftsman working within the Takaoka tradition. The artist's signature with gold highlighting and the use of seal-script characters indicate this is a signed art-grade work, not a mass-produced piece. Takaoka Doki (高岡銅器) - The Tradition Takaoka bronze ware originated in 1611 when the Maeda clan of the Kaga Domain invited seven master casters from Kawachi (present-day Osaka) to establish a foundry in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture. Over the past 400+ years, Takaoka has become the unrivaled center of Japanese bronze production, accounting for 95% of all bronze ware produced in Japan today. In 1873, Takaoka bronzes were displayed at the Vienna World's Fair, and in 1900 at the Paris Exposition Universelle, where their refined techniques, complex patterns, and flowing forms earned international acclaim and established Takaoka as a major export industry. In 1975, Takaoka Doki was officially designated as a Traditional Craft by the Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. The signature Takaoka technique is the integration of multiple metalworking skills: casting (chukin), polishing, chasing (chokin), and chemical patination (chakushoku) - each performed by specialized master craftsmen through a careful division of labor. The chemical patination tradition, in particular, has produced colors and surface effects unmatched anywhere else in the world - the famed "blooming" iridescent patinas, the deep alloyed bronzes, and the controlled corrosion effects that turn metal into living, painterly surfaces. This vase exemplifies all of these traditions at their highest level. Size Height: 26.0 cm Body Diameter: 14.5 cm Mouth Outer Diameter: 5.6 cm Base Diameter: 6.6 cm Weight 2,120 g Condition Excellent condition. The piece displays the rich, complex patina that the artist intentionally cultivated through chemical patination techniques. No dents, cracks, or major damage. Natural age-appropriate handling marks may be present on close inspection. The original box is not included. NOTICE: The photos may show flowers, plants, pedestals, etc. as examples of decorations and interior design for illustrative purposes, but please note that these are not included in the product. The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by DHL, FedEx or Japan Post depending on the situation. It takes about 2-3 weeks to receive normally. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Sometimes Customs or the delivery company in your country may contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you can answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will be returned to us and it costs more than double the shipping fee for reshipping. We do appreciate your kind cooperation.