Shippo Cloisonné: The Colors that Decorate Metalware
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Sliding Door Handles, Chrysanthemum and water design in cloisonné, Edo period, 18th century
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 14
April 12, 2016 (Tue) - June 5, 2016 (Sun)Cloisonné, or shippo in Japanese, is a technique in which colorful glazes are baked onto a metal object, creating a glass-like layer on its surface. Early examples in Japan include 7th century ornaments excavated from the Kegoshizuka burial mound (Asukamura, Nara prefecture) and 8th century objects from the Shosoin Repository of Imperial Treasures. Although this technique continued to be used in Europe and China, with foreign cloisonné works being brought into Japan during the Muromachi period (1392–1573), local use of this technique had ceased. With the development of new materials, subjects, and techniques in the decorative arts of the Edo period (1603–1868), shippo was revived and saw use in ornamented sliding door handles and nailhead covers, sword fittings, calligraphy tools, and other works with designs embodying Japanese aesthetics. This technique, however, fell into disuse once again. Under these circumstances, Japanese cloisonné was revived and reached an unprecedented level both in terms of technique and artistic expression as demonstrated by, first and foremost, Kaji Tsunekichi (1803–83) and the “Owari shippo” style he created. The cloisonné works of other masters such as Namikawa Yasuyuki (1845–1927) were presented on the world stage and greeted with praise and admiration.
This exhibition introduces the beauty of Japanese cloisonné, featuring reproductions of works from the Shosoin Repository, colorfully ornamented sliding door handles and nailhead covers from the Edo period, as well as artworks of the Meiji era.
Current exhibit includes:
Yatate (Inkwell and case for writing brush), Flower and butterfly design in cloisonné, Edo period, 19th century
Sword Guard, Treasures design in cloisonné, By Hikoshiro, Azuchi-Momoyama - Edo period, 16th-17th century
Sliding Door Handles, Chrysanthemum and water design in cloisonné, Edo period, 18th century
Water Dropper in Shape of Flat Hu Vase, Geometric pattern design in cloisonné, Edo period, 17th-18th century (Gift of Mr. Watanabe Toyotaro and Mr. Watanabe Masayuki)
Vases, Flower and butterfly design in cloisonné, By Namikawa Yasuyuki, Dated 1892 (Gift of Japan Delegate Office for World's Columbian Exposition)