DAIKOKU-SHISHI

I have previously mentioned that Tsukigata Nahiko was a prolific and wide ranging artist as well as being known for his patented Oni-Shino. Illustrated is one of his fun and animated bronzes made in a larger edition. This 6” tall bronze is of a jocular shishi (lion guardian) figure imitating Daikoku, god of earth, rice and wealth, identified with his mallet and sack of rice. The sculpture was seemingly quickly and boldly rendered and then cast in bronze and given a brilliant gold gilt finish. This bronze, like so much of his work is notable for the amount of sheer energy and enthusiasm captured in a static object. From pottery, painting, calligraphy and sculpture, Tsukigata Nahiko made excellent use of each medium.