This is perhaps Sozaburo Shibata, the only recorded maker of that name working in Kyoto. Nothing is otherwise known of this enameller and there has been much speculation around the fact that some cloisonné objects that carry the silver tablet signed Kyoto Namikawa seal have designs and wirework that imitate, but do not replicate that of Yasuyuki. There are yet other works that carry a similar silver tablet but with the four characters Kyoto Shibata as above. Some theories infer that Shibata actually worked for Yasuyuki, others that dealers at the time added Yasuyuki’s silver tablet to works by other makers. Careful examination of the wire🎃work and workmanship of the enamels can usually distinguish between the two makers.

For a vase by Namikawa Yasuyuki with similar colour palette and almost identical design on the shoulder in the collection of the Victoria and ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚAlbert Museum (The V&A), accession number FE.67-2011, go to: