Minogame and Cranen Japanese Bronze by Katô TATSUO

Katô TATSUO, whose real name was YASABURÔ, was a student of Ôshima JOUN (1858–1940), who taught sculpture at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts and exhibited in Europe at the turn of the century. He is best known for his bronze sculptures of long-tailed turtles, the minogames.

The minogame, so ancient that it is adorned with a trail of seaweed on its back, is a symbol of longevity and happiness. It plays an important role in the famous legend of Urashima Tar?.

Circa 1920.