Japanese bronze hawk signed Masatsune Meiji period

Japanese bronze hawk with silvered body rendered with striking naturalism, perched upon a gnarled tree stump and poised to take flight. The bird leans forward with wings partially extended, suggesting a moment of focused tension. The beak, eyes and talons inlaid in shakudō and gilt, while the details of the feather work carefully rendered in kebori. It is signed beneath the tail on a rectangular plaque Masatsune chū 政常鋳 (cast by Masatsune), Meiji period 1868-1912.

The artist Masatsune was renowned for his mastery of avian subjects, and his work exemplifies his ability to combine technical virtuosity with dynamic composition.

The hawk (taka 鷹), long regarded in Japan as an auspicious symbol of strength and power, was especially admired by the warrior class for its fearsome qualities. The practise of falconry (takagari 鷹狩) in Japan is believed to date back to the 4th century. Hawks, falcons and eagles were closely associated with the nobility and Samurai elite, serving as potent symbols of wealth, status, and martial authority. Alongside archery and swordsmanship, falconry was regarded as a favoured pursuit through which the elite demonstrated military discipline and prowess.

Reference: for related bronze works see 'The Golden Age of Japanese Okimono: The Dr. Kanter Collection', by Laura Bordignon, ACC Woodbridge 2010, Metalwork, no. 248.

'Meiji no Takara 明治の宝: Treasures of Imperial Japan, the Nasser D. Khalili Collection', the Kibo Foundation 1995, Metalwork Part II, no. 104-105.

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