National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

Morie Ogiwara (1879 – 1910) is one of the representative sculptors who have contributed to the establishment of modern Japanese sculpture. He decided to become a sculptor when he saw Rodin's work during his stay in France.
This sculpture represents a universal female figure he nurtured in his mind based on the image of the wife of his senior from the same town, whom he secretly admired. This is also a work that successfully represents his view of sculpture: Sculpture (or the sculpture of this woman) is a means through which to express his inner life. After he died, this work was sent to the 4th Bunten (former Japan Fine Arts Exhibition) where it was awarded the 3rd prize and then the bronze image was cast out of the original plaster maquette. In 1967, this sculpture was designated as a national important cultural property, the first sculpture designated as such after the Meiji period.