The Okâ-san - Bronze 60cm By Seibo Kitamura 1884-1987 #764

She is an "okâ-san" (director of an "okya"; boarding house for "maikos", geisha students). When an oka-san retired, a senior geisha who had proven herself within the house took her place.
Thus, proud, hands on hips, wearing a recognizable apron, the new Oka-san savors her promotion.
The okamisan had to maintain the values ​​and traditions that defined the okiya. This also involved guiding young geishas in their careers.
The okāsan covers all the expenses of young maikos and geishas (kimonos, accessories, personal effects, etc.) and takes care of their training. It is also through the okiya that reservations for geishas' services are made. The future geisha repays her debt to the okiya later, as soon as she receives her first income.
The sculptor: In 1903, he entered the Kyoto University of Arts to study sculpture. He graduated in 1907. He then joined the Tokyo University of Fine Arts, where he graduated in 1912. In 1920, he was appointed professor at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. In 1925, he became a member of the Japanese Academy of Arts - In 1931, he decorated the Diet: he painted the Constitution. His work consisted of realistic scenes from everyday life inspired by familiar members of his family or entourage. His works were calm and peaceful.
--- After the Second World War, his style changed: his leitmotif was prayer for peace. It was no longer realistic representations, but a tormented, skeletal physical beauty. His sculptures asked the question "Who are you?"
Until his last days, he produced many zodiac subjects, nude, in this new style.
In 1951, the 10-meter-high Peace Statue was inaugurated, located near the hypocenter of the atomic bomb explosion.
For his hundredth birthday, the future Emperor Akihito came to pay tribute to him at the workshop.
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Bronze with brown patina - some micro-wear and oxidation spots.
Weight 11 kg - An illustrated biography and a certificate will be given to the purchaser.
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