Monumental Pair of Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vases with Warriors, Ota Tamashiro

A Monumental Pair of Japanese Meiji Period Cloisonné Enamel Vases with Warriors, Dragon, and Falcon, Attributed to Ota Tamashiro

A monumental pair of Japanese cloisonné enamel vases from the Meiji period, attributed to the workshop of Ota Tamashiro. These dramatic vases combine heroic figural imagery with mythological and natural subjects, executed in bold enamels against graduated turquoise-blue and grey grounds.

One vase depicts a commanding warrior in flowing white robes, his quiver full and his stance braced mid-stride, while the companion vase features a striking warrior dressed in a purple robe, his bow at his side and quiver of arrows at his back. This purple-robed figure raises his hand to his brow, shielding his eyes as he gazes upward toward a hawk in flight. The hawk, rendered in exquisite detail with layered feathers and piercing eyes, circles above the mountainous landscape below. The interplay of warrior and hawk suggests vigilance, readiness, and the deep symbolic bond between martial strength and the natural world in Japanese culture.

The reverse sides of the vases present equally dynamic imagery: one with a sinuous dragon emerging from crashing waves among jagged cliffs, its scaled body and fierce visage embodying power and protection; the other with a falcon perched on rocky outcrops, feathers carefully shaded in browns, greys, and gold, embodying focus and dominance. Subtle washes of grey, green, and blue enamel create atmospheric landscapes of misty mountains, while the turquoise-blue grounds above frame the scenes with luminous clarity.

The foot rims are encircled with stylized wave and cloud motifs, while the necks are finished with delicate gilt bands. The use of large-scale figural compositions combined with mythic beasts and raptors is characteristic of the Ota Tamashiro studio, which was celebrated for its painterly approach to cloisonné and its ability to merge narrative with naturalistic detail.

At 19 inches tall, this pair exemplifies the type of ambitious work produced during the height of the Meiji period, likely intended for exhibition or export to meet the international demand for Japan’s most elaborate enamels. Their scale, dramatic subject matter, and refined execution establish them as outstanding examples of Japanese cloisonné artistry.

A museum-quality pair of vases attributed to Ota Tamashiro — monumental in scale, rich in narrative, and rare in their integration of warrior, dragon, and falcon imagery.

19" high x 8" diameter

Very good condition overall. Small hairline to the bottom rim of each vase, otherwise perfect.