Pair Of Japanese Satsuma Black And Gold Hand-painted Vases, Taishō, Shōwa Period

Pair of plum shaped vases, with a gilded base and mouth/lip. Elaborately hand painted in gold over a mat black background. Scene of the sacred Mount Fuji* and the three-storey pagoda of Kiyomizu-dera Temple**. Intricate geometric pattern painted below the rim. A finely crackled transparent glaze covers the interior and the base.

Mark on the base: Soko China, Hand Painted, Made in Japan.

Hauteur 15 cm
Diameter 8 cm

*Mt. Fuji is Japan’s tallest mountain, reaching 3,776 meters in height, and is a symbol of the country. It is considered sacred in Shintoism, associated with Princess Konohanasakuya-hime. The mountain is a dormant volcano, last erupting in 1708. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013. Additionally, Mt. Fuji has inspired art, such as Hokusai's 36 Views.

**Temple Kiyomizu-dera ("Pure Water Spring") in Kyoto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1994) and one of the most popular and photographed temple in Japan with its three-storey Koyasu pagoda

Built between 1607 and 1633 CE, it is an excellent example of Momoyama architecture. The structure is another National Treasure of Japan and is particularly associated with granting trouble-free childbirth for those who visit it. Finally, Kiyomizu-dera is also the home of a famous statue of the bodhisattva of compassion Kannon (aka Kwannon or Guanyin in Chinese). The remarkable figure has ten heads, 1,000 arms, and