Moribon - Paulownia leaf shaped fruit tray

Ikeda Sakumi, gō Fumikichi (1886-1955)

A remarkable naturalistic study in which the artist uses the crevices of the wood to suggest the tearing of the leaf eaten in places by insects.

This allegorical representation of passing time evokes a vanity and the emptiness of human passions and activities.

In Japan, the paulownia (kiri) leaf is one of the emblems honoring deserving people.

This work also evokes the annual contemplation of cherry blossoms (hanami) and fall colors (momijigari) where the most splendid flowers and leaves are said to be the moment before they fall.
A metaphor that invites you to live and die in the same way.

Ikeda Sakumi, whose artist name (gō) is Fumikichi was born in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture.
He studied with Osaka-based woodcarver Takemura Eiraku and first exhibited in 1922, then exhibited regularly (1928- 1932-1933) at the Teiten, the annual exhibition of the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts.