Noh Theatre Dancer - Bronze By Shokichi Hata 1882 - 1966 #709

Bronze with dark brown patina - very good condition - signed. Shokichi Hata (Takaoka 1882 - Tokyo 1966), studied sculpture at the Toyoma Prefectural Technical School. He graduated in 1901 and decided to refine his skills at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (graduating in 1906). He left for France in 1906 as an intern for the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce. He began studying wood carving at the Academy of Fine Arts, becoming the first Japanese student in the history of the institution. In 1911, he returned to Japan, followed by a long period of participation in the Bunten, Teiten, and Nitten exhibitions. At the same time, he held several teaching positions, at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts from 1912 and at the Tokyo Higher School of Arts and Crafts from 1922. For the 1936 Olympic Games, he presented the statue "LeDépart". In addition to his talent as a sculptor, Shokichi Hata explored printmaking for many years. From 1915 to 1945, he participated, as a commissioned craftsman, in the engraving of medals for the Bureau of Mint and the Bureau of Orders and Prizes. Several commemorative medals and orders bear his mark, including the Order of Culture created in 1937. Hata belonged to the Noh Sculpture Association. Keenly interested in this art, he performed several leading roles on stage, made Noh masks and, in his later years, devoted his sculpture to this theme. Two solo exhibitions of his Noh-inspired works were held in 1953 and 1955. This bronze is from this period of production. He died of illness on June 24, 1966, in Tokyo. Weight 6 kg