Kogai with Dragonfly Design, Mumei (Kyo Kinko)

寸法

全長212ミリ　幅12.4ミリ

Accessories

桐箱

Weight

重さ34ｇ

As written by the shop

Machine translation from the shop's Japanese · may contain errors · Show original

Kyo-kanagushi is a designation referring to metalworkers who were involved in the production of tosogu centered around Kyoto during the Edo period, and it does not signify only one specific school. Metalworking techniques developed in Kyoto from ancient times, and during the Edo period, kozuka, kogai, fuchi-kashira, and menuki using shakudo and suaka were actively produced, resulting in highly decorative works that combined exquisite carving with gold and silver iroe. This work is a kogai using a shakudo base, featuring fine nanako with a single katsumushi expressed in large takabori upon it. While gold iroe is lavishly applied from the wings to the body, the legs are expressed in thin lines, creating an impressive contrast between the voluminous wings and the delicate legs. Careful workmanship is also seen in the border surrounding the nanako-ji, and the golden katsumushi stands out vividly against the background of the deep black shakudo base. Katsumushi is another name for the tonbo, and because it was said to move forward and never retreat, it is known as a design favored by the samurai class and was repeatedly featured in tosogu. In this work, the katsumushi is placed in a bold size against the long, narrow composition of the kogai, and by further composing it so that one wing extends outside the frame, movement and breadth are given to the limited space. The blackness of the shakudo is well-preserved, the contrast with the gold iroe is brilliant, and fine kebori has been added to the wings of the katsumushi to express even the texture. Although mumei, it is attributed as "Kyo-kanagushi" in the Hozon Tosogu Kanteisho, and it is a work of high appreciative value where one can enjoy the neat tailoring and gorgeous sense of color characteristic of Kyo-kinko.