Japan, Japanese Animal Bronze, Seated Bear, Signed Takabushi Onoda 1890-1955

Japan, Bronze Bear signed Takabushi Onoda 1890-1955 This Japanese animal bronze, representing a bear, is signed by Takabushi Onoda (1890-1955). Born in 1890 during the Meiji era, Onoda is a Japanese sculptor little known in Europe, but whose works arouse growing interest among Japanese art lovers. A student of Fumio Asakura, he distinguished himself in the Bunten and Teiten salons and participated in 1925 in the founding of the Hanibe association, dedicated to the promotion of sculpture in Japan, with regular exhibitions in Kyoto and an informative publication. This bronze bear, carefully patinated for a realistic rendering, testifies to Onoda's talent for capturing the animal essence. His sculptures, often small in size, focus on subtle details and texture, characteristics prized in Japanese animal bronzes. The bear's posture, seated and slightly inclined, expresses both strength and tranquility, a duality often sought in Japanese animal art.