Kinkozan Sōbei (workshop)

History

Family associated with pottery since 1645; largest Satsuma producer from the late 19th century; over 1,000 workers c.1915 (p.54). Satsuma production begun by Sōbei VI (d.1884) c.1872, continued by his son (1868–1927) (p.54). Output 1,200,000 pieces in 1913, per the 1914/15 Pan-Pacific exhibition handbook (p.20). Finest pieces often signed by individual artists in secluded garden studios within the compound (p.54). Exhibited Sydney 1879, Chicago 1893; silver medal Paris 1889, gold Paris 1900; Grand Prize Hanoi 1902, St Louis 1904, Liège 1905, Milan 1906, Russia 1908, Alaska 1909, London 1910, Turin 1912, Philadelphia 1926 (p.54). Factory closed 1927 (p.54).

Marks & Signatures

'Kinkozan zo', 'Kinkozan seizo', 'Kyoto Kinkozan zo Awata', impressed 'Kinkozan zo/tsukuru' seals; decorators' names alongside (Sozan, Seizan, Shisui, Keizan, Fuzan, Gassan, Kyokudo, Masayasu, Itozan, Seiko, Ikko, Chokusai, Semiishi, Shouzan).

Citations

history

Lawrence 2011, p.20, 54

marks

Lawrence 2011, p.237–238