Item Description This is a finely modeled bronze sculpture of a carp (koi) by the celebrated Japanese sculptor Tominaga Naoki (1913–2006), a member of the Japan Art Academy and recipient of the Order of Culture (1989). Cast with a rich, naturalistic dark patina showing warm bronze and olive-green highlights, the fish is rendered in a restful, grounded pose with finely textured overlapping scales, expressive fins, and lifelike glass-like eyes. The underside of the tail fin is impressed with the artist's name "直樹" alongside an incised date reading "76.12.11" (a production date in the Showa era). The sculpture is accompanied by its original wooden storage box (tomobako), the lid inscribed in ink with the character "鯉" (Carp) and signed "直樹" with a red artist's seal. Tominaga is best known for his dynamic figurative and sports-themed bronzes exhibited at the Nitten, but he also produced a number of smaller, intimate animal studies such as this one, reflecting his warm and observant eye toward nature. Size Height: 5.5 cm Width: 15 cm Depth: 5 cm Weight 655 g / 0.655 kg Condition The bronze shows an attractive age-appropriate patina with minor surface wear consistent with its production date; the original wooden tomobako has an old crack that has been professionally repaired with adhesive, with no other significant damage noted. Artist Profile Tominaga Naoki (富永直樹, 1913–2006) was a leading Japanese figurative sculptor born in Nagasaki. He trained at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts) under Kitamura Seibo, graduating at the top of his class. He first exhibited at the Bunten in 1936 and went on to win the Nitten Special Selection Prize three years in a row (1950–1952). In 1972 he received the Japan Art Academy Prize, becoming a full Academy member in 1974, and in 1989 he was awarded Japan's highest artistic honor, the Order of Culture. He also served as director and later chairman of the Nitten. Beyond his acclaimed sports- and history-themed figures, Tominaga created many intimate, warmly observed works depicting family and animals. NOITICE: The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation. It takes about 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 Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping. I appreciate your cooperation.