Young Woman Cutting Her Nails - Bronze 1950-70 By Soko Nakano 1898-1985

This unusual sculpture refers to the practice of sentō, Japanese public baths. The medieval origin of sentō is Buddhist; because of their religious significance, baths were found in temples. First used by priests, they were gradually opened to the public.
At the end of the Edo period, the shogunate ordered that public baths no longer be mixed, in order to preserve morals.
Another reason for the popularity of public baths was the presence of yuna "hot water women", whose job was to rub the backs of bathers, and more... The Meiji era saw diversity disappear, under the influence of Europeans. After the second war, the sento saw their peak. because most houses did not have a bath. We chatted there while giving each other body care. The sento embodied a certain form of Japanese sociability.
The sculptor: son of a recognized sanctuary carpenter, younger brother of a sculptor esteemed in the region.
He received sculpture training under high priest Matsuyama. Then moved to Tokyo in 1920. Graduated from the Tokyo School of Fine Arts in 1923. Studied with Seibo Kitamura - Regularly awarded prizes from 1929 to 1940. Member of the Nitten association in 1940.
In addition to bronze sculpture, he also created wood sculptures based on Noh, Kabuki and Buddhist themes.
4,7 kg