Μπρούντζος - Naoki Tominaga 富永直樹 - Χάλκινο άγαλμα ενός ποντικιού που φέρνει ευτυχία「Hourai 宝来」 - Περίοδος Showa

This bronze statue of a rat that brings happiness was created by Tominaga Naoki.
There are two rats on top of a large bag and under the building.
The large bag represents a treasure bag.
Rats are messengers of Daikokuten, who brings bountiful harvests, and are revered as gods of prosperous business.
Rats are also said to be lucky charms for fertility and prosperity of descendants, as they give birth to many children.

The title "Hourai" means "treasure" and "rai" means "to come." It means "treasure is coming."

Naoki Tominaga (1913 - 2006), born as Yoshio Tominaga, was a prominent figurative sculptor who primarily exhibited at the Nitten (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition). Fascinated by a nude statue displayed in a local kimono shop's window during his fifth year in Nagasaki Junior High School, he was inspired to pursue a career in sculpture. He studied under the renowned sculptor Seibo Kitamura, who was also from his hometown, at the Sculpture Department of the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (now Tokyo University of the Arts). Tominaga's work "Head of F" was first selected for the Bunten Exhibition in 1936 while he was still a student. He continued to achieve success with works like "Distinguished Service," which won the Special Selection Award at the 6th Nitten Exhibition in 1950. He served as a judge from the 9th exhibition (1953) onwards and became a member of the Nitten in 1954. Tominaga made significant contributions to the compilation of "Nitten History" during his tenure as the Secretary-General (appointed in 1977) and initiated its publication during his tenure as Chairman (1979-83). He received the Japan Art Academy Award for his work "New Wind," exhibited at the 3rd reorganization Nitten Exhibition (1972). In 1974, he became a member of the Japan Art Academy. Tominaga also had a role as a pioneering industrial designer, and his domestically produced Model 4 telephone, developed during his tenure as design consultant for Okidenki in 1949, is hailed as a timeless masterpiece. He also served as a visiting professor at Kanazawa College of Art and Craft, contributing to the development of future generations. His notable honors include the Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd Class (1984), the Order of Culture (1989), and being recognized as an Honorary Citizen of Nagasaki Prefecture (1990).

Width 12.2 cm
Depth 9.0 cm
Height 13.7 cm
Weight 1810 g

Condition:
Condition is good. There may be minor scratches, dirt, or abrasions. I kept it at home. There are many photos, so please take a look.

Atention:
The items listed for sale are all used collectibles. Please consider them to have signs of aging, such as stains, scratches, scuffs, tears, discoloration, fading, fraying, and changes in thread color. We will post as many photos as possible to make it easy to understand. As these are old items, we appreciate your understanding before making a purchase.

Shipping:
The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan.
We will use either DHL or FedEx for a safe and secure transportation. It usually takes about 2-3 weeks for delivery, and the package will be shipped with a tracking number.
Import duties, taxes, VAT, and any other charges are not included in the item price and shipping cost. Please check your country's import duties before bidding.

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