A MIXED METAL BLADE MOUNTED AS A WAKIZASHI BY KANO NATSUO, FUNADA IKKIN, TSUCHIYA YASUCHIKA VI AND YOKOYA TENMIN

細節

A MIXED METAL BLADE MOUNTED AS A WAKIZASHI BY KANO NATSUO, FUNADA IKKIN, TSUCHIYA YASUCHIKA VI AND YOKOYA TENMIN

The hard copper patinated irogane blade decorated with a lotus of four seasons depicting the cycle of life according to Buddha, in katakiribori, gold and silver hirazogan with each stage of the life of the lotus represented by the leaves and blooms chased, inlaid and signed by one of the masters and portraying the artists' postition in life's cycle; a fresh lotus leaf about to open is signed by the young Natsuo; a flower in bloom indicating his sonen (peak period), signed Funada Ikkin and Kao; a closed flower suggesting his bannen (later years), signed Hogen Yasuchika and a closed leaf meaning nyudo (retired), signed rokuju issai Tenmin-o and Kao, the reverse with calligraphy in katakiribori and a character on the mune, 39.8cm.; in a red lacquered scabbard with black lacqured kurikata and fuchi-kashira; a copper kozuka portraying two oni in takabori, slight gold details; a pair of copper menuki portraying a meditating oni with another similar oni attached to the scabbard, the details in gold and shakudo, late Edo/Meiji period (19th century)

拍品專文

The style of Natsuo's signature and the signature and Kao of Funada Ikkin indicates that the work would have been accomplished in 1855-1856, making Natsuo the youngest at 27 years of age just after he moved to Edo from Kyoto and in reality, the beginning of his great career. The eldest of the group was Tenmin who was a student and relative of Somin II and the only artist to inscribe his age and the character okina (old man) beside his signature next to a withering lotus leaf denoting the end of a life's cycle. He was a student of Yokoya Somin and later founded the school of kagamibuta makers and specialised in katakiribori, he excelled in relief and inlay techniques.

The mune (ridge) of the blade is engraved with the Chinese character "chu" meaning companions or "like minded persons" presumably referring to the association of the four great master craftmen.

The reverse engraved with a Buddhist sutra encouraging prayer to Kanzenon Bosatsu in return for good fortune.

It is probable that the piece was commissioned by a dedicated Buddhist of some standing.

Kano Natsuo (1828-1898)
Funada Ikkin (1812-1863)
Tsuchiya Yashichika VI (-1861)
Yokoya Tenmin (mid/late 19th century)

For illustration of the kozuka of this lot, see page .