This complementary pair of small, elongated ovoid vases is divided into three horizontal registers. The upper band follows women and children through the stages of making cloth, from hand-spinning thread to weaving at the loom. The middle band opens onto a lake with boats before distant mountains and a village in the foreground. In the lowest band, spiral bands of chrysanthemum heads alternate with butterflies.
Narrow geometric borders finish the rim and foot. The weaving subject recurs across the studio’s work, documenting traditional crafts for a largely foreign clientele. Each vase is twelve centimetres high and signed on the base with a gilt seal ‘Yabu Meizan’. Offered at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, London New Bond Street, on 17 May 2018, lot 424. It realised £12,500 including buyer’s premium, against an estimate of £5,000–£7,000.