Description † ISHIDA KAZUMASA: A FINE BRONZE 'TOAD AND HYOTAN' VASEBy Ishida Kazumasa (Issei), signed KazumasaJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)Finely cast as a toad struggling to hold up a large double gourd, the frog's skin naturalistically modeled, its eyes of gilt with shakudo pupils, the dark bronze patination of the frog providing an appealing contrast to the lighter bronze patina of the gourd. Signed in a recessed reserve KAZUMASA.HEIGHT 28.8 cm WEIGHT 2,688 gCondition: Very good condition, minor wear, light surface scratches, small casting flaws.Ishida Kazumasa (Issei), given name Seiji, studied metal art in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture. In the mid-Meiji Period, he went to Tokyo (Shimogaya district, Kamigyo, Tokyo) and worked in the metal art industry as a member of the Tokyo Chukin Kai (Tokyo Cast Metal Association). Ishida Kazumasa belongs to the Otake Norukuni line of metal crafting in Tokyo.