Vintage · Made in Japan · one of one
Showa era Japanese zodiac sculpture
Kitamura Seibo bronze monkey
This Kitamura Seibo bronze monkey sculpture depicts a parent and child, capturing the depth of Showa-era craftsmanship in a finely cast zodiac piece. It sits with a grounded presence, suitable for a desk or a quiet shelf where it can anchor a room. Kitamura Seibo (1884–1987) was a master sculptor whose work is recognized for its technical precision and emotional clarity. In Japanese tradition, the monkey, or saru, is a symbol of protection and good fortune. Because the Japanese word for monkey shares a sound with the word for 'to leave' or 'to drive away' (evil), the motif is a long-standing charm against misfortune. This parent and child pairing evokes the strength of maternal bonds, a theme Seibo returned to throughout his long career. Living with a cast bronze of this quality changes the character of a space. Over time, the metal settles into its environment, losing its coldness and becoming a quiet, unchanging observer of the room.
$430 Free shipping to 32 countries
Order by December 8 to make sure it arrives before Christmas.
We ship to mainland China: free, tracked. Import duties, if any, are paid on delivery. Where we ship
A gift for luck and protection · a collector
Leaves Fukuoka within three business days by EMS, with tracking.
Condition report
- Era
- Showa era (1926–1989)
- Artist
- 北村西望作 (Kitamura Seibo)
- Condition
- Vintage, unused, in its original box
Want a closer look at a mark or an edge? Ask for more photographs.
The story: Takaoka bronzeRead the story →What buyers say · ★★★★★ on Etsy
“Received updates regarding the item I purchased and when it arrived could tell that it was packed with care; my fragile ceramic bunny arrived in perfect condition! A wonderful purchase and I would buy from this shop again”
Jessica · United States
1 more from buyers
“Item was as described and in photos shown. Excellent quality. Seller very knowledgable and took the time to explain everything”
Tiang N. · Australia
- Made in Japan. Made in Japan, found in Japan, and sent to you from Fukuoka.
- One of one. This exact piece, photographed in our studio in Fukuoka.
- Returns within 14 days of delivery. Not right? Send it back as it came and we refund the full price, return postage included.
- Packed safely, sent by EMS within three business days, fully insured, with tracking.
Duties, checkout and extras
- ★ 5.0 on Etsy · Star Seller. Read the reviews ↗
- Import tax. It depends on your country; if any is due, it is collected on delivery.
- US import duties. Already included in the price: nothing to pay at your door.
- Secure checkout by Stripe — cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay. No account needed.
- Two pieces, one parcel. Each extra piece in the same order is $15 off at checkout.
- Orders of $200 or more travel with a gift to keep: Japanese chopsticks with a rest in a paulownia box, or a Nara kaya-cloth handkerchief.
How It Arrives
This piece is packed by hand and sent from our studio in Fukuoka. We include our written account of the work and its maker to ensure its history remains clear as it moves into your collection.
An authentic, signed work from one of Japan's most respected twentieth-century sculptors.
How it travels
Packed safely, insured in full
Every piece is packed by hand in Fukuoka inside a sturdy 3 mm corrugated carton, cushioned all round with air pillows so it cannot move. It travels with tracking all the way to your door: by EMS, insured for its full value, on orders of $100 or more, and by tracked airmail below that.
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A question about this piece — size, marks, condition? Ask the house, we answer within a day.