(c) 2023 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

Shoami Katsuyoshi

Tsuyama, 1832 - 1908, Kyoto

SchoolOkayama, Shoami Fujishiro

BiographyKatsuyoshi was one of the greatest metalworkers of the Meiji Period. Born in Mimasaka Province, he received his early training from his father, before joining the local branch of the Sh?ami, a dynasty of sword-fitting makers active throughout Japan, at the age of 18. He developed his practice by studying under his older brother, Nakagawa Issh?, from whom he learned the style of Issh?'s teacher, the great Got? Ichij?.

The dawn of the Meiji period came in 1868, when Katsuyoshi was 36. The forces of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the last feudal military government of Japan, were defeated by the armies seeking the restoration of Emperor Meiji, and the victory ushered in the new era of Meiji, meaning 'enlightened rule'. Under the rule of the Emperor, Japan underwent social, political and industrial revolution, and emerged as one of the world's great powers.

Among the significant changes was the Hait?rei edict of 1876, which banned the traditional samurai privilege of wearing two swords, resulting in a loss of patronage for metalworkers such as Katsuyoshi. Not to be defeated, however, he became exceptionally successful at adapting his skills to new kinds of production, including utensils for tea ceremonies, flower vases and incense burners, such as the one offered at Bonhams. His magnificent creations were exhibited at major domestic and international expositions, winning him no fewer than 28 awards. Source: https://www.bonhams.com/press_release/19011/Shoami

Certification: Tokubetsu Bunka Shiryo tosogu, Nihon To-sogu Bishutsukan.
Katsuyoshi's personal name is Nakagawa Junzo. Born at Tsuyama in the province of Mimasaka, the third son and student of Nakagawa Katsutsugu. In 1849 he was adopted into the Okayama branch of the Shoami Fujishiro family, of which he became the 9th and last master. He became a retainer of the Ikkeda Daimyo, of Bizen Province. Under the influence of his elder brother Issho, he followed the style of Got? Ichijo. In 1897 he moved to Kyoto, where he died in 1908.

The tsuba, fuchi and kashira are all made with shakudo base metal with nanako ground. Flowering peonies are done in gold, among shakudo rocks with golden moss. Flowing water, in silver, runs through the scenes. Source: http://www.ncjsc.org/item_shoami_katsuyoshi_mk1.htm

Person TypeIndividual

Last Updated8/7/24

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