Jar with lid with birds and flowers, Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum Collection

Namikawa’s cloisonné works with black background and intricately depicted pictures of flowers and birds were particularly popular. Colorful designs of plants stand out particularly against the background. Such cloisonné items were in great demand and prices are said to have skyrocketed as a result. The example piece shown here stands only 8 cm high, but one can see that it was made with outstanding skills. Works by Namikawa come with varied silver wire thickness that mark the outline of the designs, allowing him to create fine cloisonné pieces with gradations and painting-like designs.