Bizen Boar

This is a Bizen ware "Boar of the Zodiac Year" (癸亥) by the world-renowned master and holder of Intangible Cultural Property, Zenji Urakami. This piece is part of a series of zodiac figurines created for the Year of the Boar in 1983. The boar’s stern expression is striking, and its posture—as if powerfully attempting to stand—is perfectly fitting for the final sign of the zodiac, which symbolizes both an ending and a beginning. The muscular, sculpted form, which incorporates Master Zenji’s signature pottery techniques, is fascinating, featuring a design that balances realism with abstraction. Beyond being a lucky charm for the zodiac year, this 1983 limited edition piece makes an excellent gift for those born in that year. Original wooden box (with two-way battens)
24.4cm (diameter) x 13.3cm x 19.7cm (height) Master Zenji Urakami (1914–2006) was born in Inbe and began his path in ceramics under Master Shunko Nishimura. In 1935, he became a student of Japan Art Academy member Seibo Kitamura to study sculpture, woodcarving under Shin Naito, and sketching under Saburo Okada and Sakujiro Okubo. He excelled at creating life-like animal figurines, bronze statues, and ceramic murals based on realism. His major works include the ceramic mural at Okayama Airport, the ceramic plaque of Grandmaster Oyama at the Kurashiki City Art Museum, the bronze bust of Toyo Kaneshige at the Bizen Ceramics Museum, and the ceramic statue of Kojima Takanori in Tsuyama City. In 1973, his ox figurine won the gold medal at the Le Salon 300th Anniversary Exhibition. That same year, he was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. He passed away in March 2006.
Awards: Numerous honors including the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Miki Memorial Award, French Chagall Honorary Award, Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays, and the Grand Prize at the Salon de Paris exhibition, etc. / Member of the Prefectural Exhibition Jury