Signed Kosai [Tsuzuki Kosai], Taisho period (early 20th century)

Details

A Lacquer Fubako [Letter Box]
Signed Kosai [Tsuzuki Kosai], Taisho period (early 20th century)
The rectangular box slightly curved with an overhanging cover, decorated in gold, silver and black hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, togidashi, kinpun and nashiji with deer and the torii gate of the Itsukushima Shrine in the sea, the design continuing onto the sides, the nashiji interior, silver rims
39cm. long

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Lot Essay

Constructed in the 12th century and late renovated, the Itsukushima Shrine at Miyajima in today’s Hiroshima Bay became one of Japan’s famous ‘Three Great Beauty Spots’ along with Amanohashidate and Matsushima. As travel for purposes of pilgrimage and sightseeing increased, so did the popularity of such picturesque sites and such celebrated places provided the subject matter for many artworks. The shrine was built like a pier over the water, permitting pilgrims to approach by boat. The beauty point is the grand torii gate that is more than 16 metres in height and appears to float in the sea at high tide. The deer in Itsukushima are regarded as the shinroku [sacred deer], the divine messenger in Shinto religion.

Tsuzuki Kosai was the pupil of Ikeda Taishin (1825-1903).

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