Mouse designed by Denji Takeuchi for Sasaki Crystal Japan

This crystal mouse designed for Sasaki Glass of Japan by Denji Takeuchi is about 3.25" long x 3" high x 1.5" wide and weighs about 10 ounces. It has a label which reads: "Sasaki Crystal 24% Lead Japan" on the bottom.

I wanted to add a piece designed by by Denji Takeuchi to my collection, and this was the least expensive example that I could find. Still really nice, but a minor piece by this very well known Japanese designer. I have a couple of other Sasaki pieces in my collection which may also be examples of his work but I have not found a catalog of his designs.

I could not find an actual biography for him so cobbled something together. I know that I have seen a brief biography in a well known Corning Museum of Glass (CMOG) book from 1979 which I have a PDF of, so will find add any other data from that when I can wade through it.

Designer Denji Takeuchi was born in Japan in 1934. He spent time working in the USA and Europe during the 1960's, where he worked as a designer for Holmegaard. He was also the Director of the Design Department for Sasaki Crystal where he worked as a designer from 1958 until 1995. One of his well known designs for Sasaki included a series of animal figurines in crystal. He served as the Director of the Japan Glass Artcrafts Association and served in several other roles with that organization; 1981 Chairman Exhibition Committee, 1982 member Selection Committed, etc. He served with other notable artists, including Kyohei Fujita and Hisatoshi Iwata. His work is part of the collections of major museums around the world, including the Corning Museum of Glass (CMOG), the Victoria and Albert Museum. I could find no information about his education and training before 1958. DT was apparently solely a designer and not a glass artist.