We are proud to present Orihime and Hikoboshi, a rare and exquisite Satsuma porcelain figure by Yabu Meizan—one of the most celebrated artists of 19th-century Japan. This piece is among the few surviving nerimono (porcelain figures) and features delicate overglaze painting by Yabu Meizan on fine white porcelain crafted by the prestigious 12th-generation Chin Jukan Kiln in Kagoshima.
Yabu Meizan’s works were known as "Osaka Satsuma" and were highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad. His pieces were widely exported to Europe and the United States, captivating audiences at international expositions and playing a key role in the Japonisme movement of the late 19th century.
This particular figure made a remarkable return to Japan in the spring of 2024, after spending decades in Beverly Hills, USA.
The form was likely shaped by Someura Taikyo, a master craftsman of the Chin Jukan Kiln and also a Shinto priest of Tamayama Shrine, located in the pottery village of Naoetsugawa. It is believed that his spiritual devotion deeply influenced the work’s serene, almost cosmic presence.
The figures depict Orihime and Hikoboshi, star-crossed lovers from Japanese folklore who are allowed to meet only once a year across the Milky Way. This piece stands as a timeless symbol of enduring love—both tender and powerful.