Finely turned wood with a recurved profile to the bowl and top. Green body color with red/orange interior. The top with a tiger among bamboo in true gold. Tigers and dragons are fundamental figures in Chinese art, which served as a model for Japanese art. The tiger plays a curious part in Japanese art as there are no tigers in Japan and artists relied upon Chinese images, house cats, and their imaginations to create them. Often, as here, they do not project the ferocity of the animal, but rather present a slightly whimsical creature. Similar variations are found throughout the Japanese visual arts. Finely executed in this example.
