ENLIGHTENMENT: Meiji & Beyond

The Meiji period (1868-1912) saw the end of over 250 years of military rule under the Tokugawa shoguns. A new democratic government was established and feudalism (the system of political and economic control through aristocracy, samurai and homage), which had for centuries been a way of life, was gradually abolished. Led by the Emperor and the ‘enlightened government’ (Meiji), Japan rapidly reformed following western models of education, justice, transport and industry.

The abolition of feudalism resulted in Japanese craftsmen losing the patronage of the samurai. However, the rise of international exhibitions coupled with the international export markets and increase in tourism provided them with new trading and design opportunities. The techniques used on traditional sword and dress accessories were transferred to designs and shapes of objects made to appeal to the West. These types of items, being small and easily classified, appealed to western collectors and had not previously been exported to the West.

The government moved from Kyoto to Edo (then renamed Tokyo) in 1868 and supported craftsmanship through policies such as the establishment of the First Trading and Manufacturing Company (Kiriu Kosho Kaisha). Coupled with the rise in international exhibitions and tourism, a craze rose in the West for Japanese arts, crafts, culture and design. The Japan once so recognisable from the Edo period prints was rapidly being replaced by a thriving and strong international power.

Left of case

Pair of Vases
Bronze
Pair of bronze vases with a band of gold foliage decoration around the neck, a band of decoration depicting birds in flight in silver and gold, a band of circular floral decorations in red silver and gold and a further band of circular designs in gold at the foot.

Statue
Bronze
Statue of a man in everyday dress with bare feet standing with his circular hat in his right hand and a bag on a stick over his left shoulder.

Centre of case

Furniture
Lacquer
Black lacquer cabinet decorated with gold fans. There are 4 tiers, the top two levels are shelves, the third level has a closed off section on the left with doors and open to the right, the fourth level has a drawer on the right and open to the left.

Top of case

Plate
Lacquer
Round, black laquer plate decorated with flowers in pink, blue and orange and a bird perched on a geometric ‘bamboo’ frame just off centre.

Tea Kettle
Bronze
Circular teapot in dark coloured bronze with spout and lid and handle reaching over the top and bound with bamboo strips at the top. Floral and leafy decorations on the side in pale bronze and white.

Third shelf in case

Cabinet, 1800-1900
Lacquer
Small cupboard with hinged double door, silver fittings and short legs. The doors, top and sides depict a scene of chrysanthemums growing on a hillside in nashii and kimpun ground. The interior is decorated with nashii motifs of chrysanthemums and plum branches.

Right of case

Tea Ceremony Cup, 1900
Ceramic
Kyoto ware tea ceremony cup painted in bluish grey crackle glaze with a red green and gold overglaze design.
Make/Maker: Rokubei (4^th gen) (Kyoto, Japan)

Sake Bottle
Ceramic
Sake bottle in light brown glaze with darker brown overglaze on upper portion. Decorated with encircling lines in underglaze white.

Pair of Vases
Bronze
Upright shape with a gold inlay of a geometric design around the neck and collar. Arches with decoration of scenery in gold, blue and red around the main body of the vases.