A cast iron sculpture titled 「新生鳩」(Shinsei Hato / "New Life Dove") is the work of celebrated Japanese metal artist Sotaro Saegusa (三枝惣太郎, 1911–2006). Known for his minimalist yet emotive animal forms, Saegusa brings a modernist touch to traditional craftsmanship. Depending on the time of day and angle of light, the sculpture reveals different hues and textures, making it a living piece of art that transforms with its surroundings.
The stylized dove, with its sweeping, curved lines and poised form, conveys a sense of serenity and rebirth—echoing the theme of new beginnings embodied in the title. The sculpture’s warm bronze-like patina enhances its organic feel, while the form retains a sense of gentle strength and grace. Sotaro Saegusa born in 1911 in Japan, Saegusa began his artistic journey during a time when Western influences were increasingly merging with traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
He was a Japanese sculptor and metal artisan known for his work primarily in cast iron and bronze. While not as internationally mainstream as some contemporaries, he developed a distinct and refined style that melded Japanese aesthetics with modern sculptural abstraction, often working in small-scale formats with symbolic resonance. Housed in its original patterned box with a hand-inscribed label, this piece exemplifies Saegusa’s refined aesthetic and philosophy: blending form, function, and symbolism. Doves are a universal symbol of peace and hope, and in Japan, they also represent harmony and the soul’s journey.
