西大由作　春之意香炉【Incense Burner by Nishi Daiyu】[k0601]

戦後の日本の工藝界で活躍した鋳金作家、西大由。その作品は鳥や果実などを題材に無駄のないフォルムの中に自然のおおらかさを感じさせます。
その西が東京藝術大学在学中に初入選したのが昭和22年10月から開催された第三回日展。入選作品名は「春之意香炉」です。

当作品の箱に記されている作品名と年代が一致しており、幅広く活躍するきっかけとなった西大由初期の作品と考えられます。

付属：共箱

西大由　Nishi Daiyu（1923-2013）
1923年　福岡県築上郡に生まれ。
1941年　東京美術学校（のちの東京藝術大学）工芸科鋳金部へ入学し高村豊周、丸山不忘らに師事する。
1943年-1945年　在学中兵役につく
1947年　終戦後に復学し、練馬区石神井にアトリエを構える。
　　　　第三回日展に「春之意香炉」で初入選を果たす。
1948年　東京藝術大学卒業後、多治見製作所鋳金技師となる。
1953年　東京藝術大学美術学部助手となる。同年から薬師寺東塔水煙及び月光菩薩台座の修理に従事。
1955年　第11回日展に於いて「青銅壺」が特選となり翌年無鑑査に。
1961年　社団法人第4回新日展で「泪羅に立つ」が菊華賞を受賞。翌年会員に推挙される。
1963年　第6回高村光太郎賞を受賞。
1978年　1969年からの東京藝術大学美術学部助教授を経て教授となる。
1991年　東京藝術大学を定年退官し、同大学名誉教授となる。
2000年　勲三等瑞宝章を受章。
2013年　逝去

A metal-casting artist active in the postwar Japanese craft world, Daiyu Nishi created works that convey the generosity and vitality of nature through refined, unadorned forms, often drawing on motifs such as birds and fruit.
While still a student at Tokyo University of the Arts, Nishi was first selected for a major exhibition at the 3rd Nitten, held in October 1947. His accepted work was an incense burner titled “Heart of Spring.”
The title and date written on the original storage box correspond to this early period, suggesting that the present piece is one of Nishi Daiyu’s formative works that helped launch his wide-ranging career.
Accessories: Original wooden storage box (tomobako)

Nishi Daiyu (1923–2013)

1923 Born in Chikujō District, Fukuoka Prefecture.
1941 Entered the Metal Casting Department, Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts), studying under leading masters Takamura Toyochika and Maruyama Fubō.
1943–1945 Served in the military during his studies.
1947 Returned to school after the war and established a studio in Shakujii, Tokyo.
Achieved his first major recognition when his incense burner “Heart of Spring” was accepted into the 3rd Nitten.
1948 After graduating, appointed metal-casting technician at the Tajimi Manufacturing Works.
1953 Became an assistant at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts.
Participated in the restoration of the bronze Sui-en finial of Yakushiji’s East Pagoda and the pedestal of the Gekkō Bosatsu (Moonlight Bodhisattva).
1955 Received the Special Selection Award at the 11th Nitten for Bronze Jar, earning exemption from jury review the following year.
1961 Awarded the Kikuka Prize at the 4th Shin-Nitten for Standing in Ruira; elected as a member the following year.
1963 Received the Takamura Kōtarō Prize, one of Japan’s notable sculpture awards.
1978 Appointed professor at Tokyo University of the Arts after serving as associate professor since 1969.
1991 Retired and named Professor Emeritus.
2000 Received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.
2013 Passed away.