{"product_id":"251","title":"Metalwork Bottle Opener \"Swan\" by Ichiro Kitamura, Father of Living National Treasure Shinichi Kitamura #251","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003eThis is a metalwork piece by the renowned metal artist Kitamura Ichiro (1917-1968), father and mentor to Kitamura Shinichi, a master metalsmith and holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) status. Operating from the Kitamura Studio in Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Ichiro Kitamura was a metal artist who, while rooted in traditional Japanese metalworking techniques, pursued modern and practical beauty that blended into living spaces. His exceptional sense of form and reliable metalworking techniques were passed down to his son, Shinichi Kitamura, who later became a Living National Treasure, positioning him as one of the important origins in the history of modern Japanese metalwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eThis work is a metal sculpture that captures the serene image of an elegant swan resting on water, while also serving as a highly practical tabletop accessory with a bottle opener mechanism on its base. The surface of the piece features a delicate and soft texture that belies the inherent hardness of metal, with the swan's graceful neck curve and the texture of its feathers sculpted in three dimensions. The greatest design feature is that it functions as a complete animal sculpture and interior object when placed on a table or shelf, and only reveals the heavy metal bottle opener part when the bottom is flipped over. This clearly demonstrates Ichiro Kitamura's exceptionally sophisticated design philosophy and metal sculpting technique, which prioritized aesthetic beauty as a decorative item that enhances space without overtly displaying its function as a tool for daily life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003eThis item comes with its original wooden box, inscribed with the title of the work, \"Swan Bottle Opener,\" and the artist's signature, \"Made by Ichiro Kitamura,\" in ink on the inside of the lid. The original brochure from the Kitamura Studio is also fully included. The brochure clearly states that the artist created these accessories for spaces such as dining tables and small shelves, making it a valuable primary source that corroborates the artist's creative philosophy. It is an extremely rare craft art piece that can be enjoyed in everyday spaces as a paperweight or a modern tabletop sculpture, in addition to its practical use as a bottle opener.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"151\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kitamura Ichiro (1917-1968)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotable Achievements:\u003c\/strong\u003e [1967] Awarded the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education Prize at the 14th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"151\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1960s (estimated)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"151\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very good (no chips, no cracks, age-related deterioration on box)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"151\"\u003e\n\n\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccessories:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dedicated wooden box,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e brochure included\u003c\/span\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"151\"\u003e\n\n\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Copper (estimated)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Height approx. 7.0 cm, Width approx. 10.0 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e All products offered by our shop, even if unused, are very old items from previous production periods and are listed as used. Products may have damage due to age, so please consider purchasing after understanding and checking their condition. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Antique Liquor","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47835534557371,"sku":null,"price":18000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/0510\/8923\/files\/IMG_9311_result.jpg?v=1784508631","url":"https:\/\/antiqueliquor1926.com\/en\/products\/251","provider":"Antique Liquor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}