Not currently on display at the V&A

Red and White Plum Blossoms

Box
1988 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Fujita Kyohei is one of Japan's leading glass makers. He has worked extensively in both Japan and the West and is known for the lavish and highly decorative nature of his work. The two halves of this box were made by blowing molten glass into metal moulds. The rich surface decoration was achieved by the application of small pieces of red and white glass in combination with silver and gold leaf. Mattness and texture were provided by masking out the areas covered in metal leaf with wax resist before dipping in an acid bath. This decorative scheme and the title of the box, 'Red and White Plum Blossoms', allude to a famous pair of screens by the painter Ogata Korin (1658-1716), demonstrating the enduring vitality of traditional Japanese artistic styles in late twentieth century Japan.

A graduate from Tokyo University of Arts, where he studied metalwork, he worked for a brief period at the Iwata Glass Company. He became independent in 1949, using the facilities of various glass-making workshops to realize his designs, and held his first solo exhibition in 1957. He has since been involved in a large number of domestic and international events. Along with Iwata Hisatoshi, he played a major role in the establishment of the Japan Glass Artcrafts Association in 1972.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Lid
  • Box
  • Storage Box
TitleRed and White Plum Blossoms (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Mould-blown glass
Brief description
Box, Fujita Kyohei, Tokyo, 1988
Physical description
Tall hexagonal shaped box and lid of mottled purple glass with silver and gold leaf and splashes of red and white glass

Box: Wooden box
Dimensions
  • Height: 26.8cm
  • From centre to centre of opposing facets width: 22.8cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
'Kyohei Fujita' (Maker's mark; on base)
Gallery label
BOX ENTITLED 'RED AND WHITE PLUM BLOSSOMS' Purple glass with silver and gold leaf and splashes of red and white glass Maker's mark Kyohei Fujita on base Fujita Kyohei (born 1921) 1988 Fujita Kyohei, President of the Japan Glass Artcrafts Association, has worked extensively in both Japan and the West. He is one of the Japan's leading glass makers and is well known for the lavish and highly decorative nature of his work. This box, whose title and decorative scheme allude to a famous pair of painted screens by Ogata Korin (1658-1716), demonstrates the enduring vitality if the Rimpa style in late 20th century Japan. FE.6-1989 ACQUIRED THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF MITOCHU KOEKI CO. AND THE ARTIST
Credit line
Acquired through the generosity of Mitochu Koeki Company and the artist
Object history
Acquired through the generosity of Mitochu Koeki Company and the artist
Production
Artist: Fujita Kyohei (1921 - )
Biographical reference: 'Free blown glassware by Kyohei Fujita', 6th floor gallery, Takashimaya, Nihonbashi, Tokyo, 1982
Tokyo
Summary
Fujita Kyohei is one of Japan's leading glass makers. He has worked extensively in both Japan and the West and is known for the lavish and highly decorative nature of his work. The two halves of this box were made by blowing molten glass into metal moulds. The rich surface decoration was achieved by the application of small pieces of red and white glass in combination with silver and gold leaf. Mattness and texture were provided by masking out the areas covered in metal leaf with wax resist before dipping in an acid bath. This decorative scheme and the title of the box, 'Red and White Plum Blossoms', allude to a famous pair of screens by the painter Ogata Korin (1658-1716), demonstrating the enduring vitality of traditional Japanese artistic styles in late twentieth century Japan.

A graduate from Tokyo University of Arts, where he studied metalwork, he worked for a brief period at the Iwata Glass Company. He became independent in 1949, using the facilities of various glass-making workshops to realize his designs, and held his first solo exhibition in 1957. He has since been involved in a large number of domestic and international events. Along with Iwata Hisatoshi, he played a major role in the establishment of the Japan Glass Artcrafts Association in 1972.
Associated object
Bibliographic reference
See biogref, particularly plate 35 for a square box with the same title See Rupert Fualkner, Japanese Studio Crafts, 1995, pp.169-70
Collection
Accession number
FE.6A, B-1989

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Record createdMarch 13, 2000
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