Takeuchi Seihō (1864–1942) 
Monkey in Plum Blossoms 
Japan, c. 1910 
Stoneware 
Gift of Terry Welch, 2021 (2021-03-005)

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Seihō became a professor of painting at the Kyoto School of Arts and Crafts shortly before this bowl was likely made. By this time, he had already traveled to Europe for the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900. During his trip he visited the Dresden Zoo, and upon returning to Japan he became known for his highly realistic depictions of animals. Here, though, Seihō rather draws from the classical East Asian literati tradition for both his subject—plum blossoms—and his technique, with a charming monkey loosely brushed in expressive ink. 
 
The Kyoto Prefecture Painting School changed its name to Kyoto School of Arts and Crafts in 1894, reflecting an expanded curriculum that included crafts such as ceramics as well as painting. This brought the school’s painting professors into close contact with artists working in other media, evident in this exhibition not only in Seihō’s design on this bowl (which would have been shaped, glazed, and fired by an unknown ceramicist), but also in Suzuki Shōnen’s Nine Flaming Jewels, and in Five Painted Lacquer Plates designed by four professors at the school.