説明

Title: Ken-Hanabishi Zu Description This kozuka is crafted from shakudō, a traditional Japanese alloy of copper and gold, known for its deep blue-black patina. It features high-relief carving (高彫, takabori) and is adorned with gold and silver inlay (色絵, iroe), creating a richly detailed and elegant decorative effect. The theme of this kozuka is Ken-Hanabishi, a traditional Japanese family crest that combines the elegant hanabishi (diamond-shaped flower) motif with the powerful imagery of swords. As one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, the sword has long been revered as a symbol of martial strength and valor, often incorporated into crests to convey a warrior spirit. Ken-Hanabishi crests come in many variations; one notable example is the “Maru-ni Ken-Hanabishi” (Ken-Hanabishi within a circle), famously used by Katsu Kaishū(勝海舟), a key figure in the final years of the Edo period. This motif reflects the unique Japanese aesthetic that blends dignity and grace—combining the symbolic strength of the sword with the delicate beauty of floral design. This kozuka bears the signature of Ishiguro Masayoshi (石黒政美), a renowned metalworker born in 1774. He initially studied under Sano Naoyoshi and later became a pupil of Ishiguro Masatsune I. Together with his fellow disciple Masaaki, he rose to prominence as a leading figure of the Ishiguro school, a distinguished branch of the Yokoya lineage of Edo-period metalwork. His family name was Okamoto, his common name was Shōzō, and his art names included Juga-sai and Juō-sai. At the bottom of the signature, a kaō (花押) is also inscribed—a stylized and often abstract personal seal traditionally used by Japanese artists and samurai to authenticate their works. The kaō functioned both as a mark of identity and as an element of personal expression. *As this item is an antique, please check each photo and ensure its condition. What is Kozuka? Kozuka is the small knife stored in Kozuka Hitsu (groove of the sheath of the Japanese sword). Many Tsubas (handguard) have two holes to put Kozuka and Kougai (equipment for appearance) next to Nakagoana (a hole of the Tsuba to put sword), so that Samurai didn’t need to draw his sword out of the scabbard when he wanted to use Kozuka or Kougai. Initially, Samurai used it for cutting wood or attacking enemies in an emergency. It is said that Kozuka was used as a craft knife rather than a weapon. The decorative designs of Kozuka were more emphasized than its practical use in the Edo period when Samurai society enjoyed one of the most peaceful times. And there were many ornamental Kozuka and Kougai created by Japanese metalworkers. Why is it that the sword mounting was important for Samurai? The sword mountings of the Japanese sword have many kinds of decorations such as handguards (Tsuba), sword hilt (Menuki), pommel (Fuchi Kashira). The Japanese sword worked as a weapon and as an object to show who he was. For example, it shows their personalities and beliefs. You could say that it is like decorations for smartphones today. We recommend you zoom in on the pictures of the sword fittings. When you do so, you can see the skill of Japanese metal engraving techniques. They are mainly made of iron and copper with inlays of gold, silver, and bronze. When it comes to handguard (Tsuba), each one has a different outline and weight. These sword fittings that have lived with Japanese swords of the same age might be worth as much as the Japanese swords. They are inconspicuous parts of the Japanese sword. Nevertheless, if you are knowledgeable or particular about it, you will become a connoisseur of the Samurai. Authentication Paper : NBTHK Hozon Certificate (No.) NBTHK, also known as Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai (the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword), is one of the oldest Japanese sword appraising organizations in modern-day Japan. They authenticated the Kozuka on July 14th in the 5th year of Reiwa (2023). They appraised it as Hozon Tousougu, the

Antique Kozuka for Samurai Sword with NBTHK Hozon Certificate (K-78)

Antique Kozuka for Samurai Sword with NBTHK Hozon Certificate (K-78)

小柄

$2,976

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流派について

Ishiguro School石黒派

石黒派は、江戸時代後期に江戸で隆盛した町彫の一流派である。開祖の石黒政常は宝暦十年に生まれ、柳川直政の門人加藤直常に学び、のちに直政にも師事して独立した。両師の名から「政」と「常」の一字ずつを取って政常と名乗ったと伝えられる。日本橋の呉服町に住し、雅号を東嶽子(のち東岳子)といい、文政十一年に没した。その門下からは政美、政明をはじめ、是常、政英、政広ら多くの上手が輩出し、子の是常、政美の子で是常に学んだ是美らへと技が受け継がれて、同家は明治まで代々栄えた。横谷・柳川系列に連なりながらも、政常が柳川家の作風を脱し、花鳥図に独自の工夫を凝らして一派の作風を確立した点に、石黒派の起源がある。 石黒派の作風は、その時代の好尚を端的にあらわして成功しており、花鳥を主題とした濃艶な絵画的世界を高彫色絵で展開する点を一門共通の標識とする。多くは赤銅魚子地を高彫とし、金を主に銀、朧銀、素銅、四分一、茶四分一、緋色銅など多彩な色金を駆使した色絵を施す。なかでも緋色銅を効果的に用いるところが、政美をはじめ一門の上手達の見どころである。画題としては鳥を得意とし、鷹などの猛禽は初代政常以来のお家芸であり、孔雀は政美、雉子や錦鶏鳥は政明が得意とした。政常の彫は実直細密で磨きも綺麗に気品があり、空間を巧みに生かした清澄な気韻に満ちる。これを承けて政美は写実的な構図に細心の注意をはらい、裏面に空間を大きくとって流水を配するなど画面に奥行を計り、政常と双璧と称される政明は写生に徹した描写と一段と華やかな色絵を個性とした。是常は老梅の幹や猛禽の姿を力強く表現し、平肉を貶して遠近感を出す工夫を見せ、是美は緋色銅・銀・素銅を巧みに用いた色彩感覚に秀でた。華麗でありながら卑しさに陥らぬところに、一門に共通する技量の高さがある。 石黒派の作品は、町彫の雄として豪華精巧に仕上げた優品として高く評価されている。政常の作は華麗典雅のなかに武士好みの勇猛さを内包し、後藤家の家彫を研究して我物とした作も見られる。政美の作は緻密な彫技と豪華な彩色において本領を発揮した逸品とされ、政明の作は花鳥図を金工技術の限りを尽くして展開し、見る者に驚きを与える魅力をもつ。是常の作は壮厳華麗で堅実な彫法を示し、石黒派を研究する上で貴重な作とされ、是美の作は細緻な鏨法と豪華な色絵を見事に融合させた会心の作と評される。錦鶏鳥に見られる華麗さは当時流行の錦絵にも通じるものがあり、一門が日本人好みの花鳥図を高い品格をもって展開した点に、石黒派の独壇場たる所以がある。かくして石黒派は、横谷・柳川の古典を受け継ぎつつ、これを濃麗な絵画的世界へと昇華させた一流として、江戸金工史上に確固たる位置を占めている。

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