A Kappa - Bronze By Jiichi Kome (1899-1989) - Circa 1930-50

Bronze with gray-green patina - oxidized by a long stay outdoors. Wear - 5.3 kg The kappa is a demon with the appearance of an anthropomorphic turtle. The kappa lives near rivers, lakes, ponds. In ancient Japan, they like to drown children to devour their organs, rape women, force them to carry their children or even make people crazy or sick. More recently they have become prankster genies (release gas, look under women's kimonos) ... they love cucumber, which is why they are thrown into rivers to keep them away. Despite its evil side, the kappa is venerated in shrines. It can offer medicine recipes to villagers. The kappa is seen as a kind of spirit of nature. It represents the dangers of rivers, ponds, the sea. This is a piece by the sculptor Jiichi Kome - A variation of a monument he built in Takaoka (see last photo of the slideshow.) Graduated from the Tokyo School of Fine Arts in 1919. He moved to Takaoka in 1921 where he would spend his entire career, working tirelessly creating more than a thousand models. Between 1921 - 1939 he had several orders from the Regent - Emperor (busts, monument, decorations of the imperial palace.) Died in 1989 at the age of 89 A certificate, an illustrated biography on the artist will be given to the purchaser.