-, 49th Session — Designated October 9, 2003
Gosomono (, , , , ), : Gotō Mitsumori (後藤光守)
Measurements
- : height 6.3 cm; width 5.85 cm; rim thickness: unknown
- : length 9.6 cm; width 1.45 cm
- : length: unclear in source (possibly 20 cm); width: unknown
- and : measurements unclear in source
Description Form:
- : (vertical oval)
Material:
- All pieces:
- Ground: (polished ground) and (fish-roe ground), as described below
Design:
- (assorted treasures) theme across the full set
Decoration / Techniques:
- : ; (fine line engraving) incorporating kōsuki-bori; depicts
- : ; (high relief carving);
- : -; (rounded relief carving);
- : ; incorporating kōsuki-bori;
Rim:
- : with (slightly raised “meat”)
:
- : two
Signature:
- , , , : signed “Gotō Mitsumori” with (後藤光守（花押）)
- : unsigned; attributed to Mitsumori
Artisan Gotō mainline, 14th generation: Gotō Mitsumori (後藤光守), art name Keijō (桂乗).
Era Mid period.
Explanation Gotō Mitsumori (Keijō), the fourteenth-generation head of the Gotō family, was the third son of the twelfth master, Gotō Kōri (Jujō) (後藤光理（寿乗）), and was born in Kanpō 1 (1741). His personal name was Mitsutomo (光儔), and his common name was Kishigorō (吉五郎). Because the thirteenth master, Gotō Mitsutaka (後藤光孝), left no heir, Mitsumori was adopted by his elder brother; after Mitsutaka’s death, he changed his name to Shirōbei Mitsumori (四郎兵衛光守) and succeeded to the position of fourteenth head of the main line.
This gosomono is formed by adding a and to what would otherwise be a (three-piece set). The and , executed in , render the motif in with accents of kōsuki-bori. The three pieces of the are carved with ample volume in richly rounded high relief, likewise expressing .
All of the ground metal is unified in a refreshing, pure black tonality. This is an excellent work by Mitsumori, one that brings forth to the fullest his distinctive sense of “inner sumptuousness” through restrained coloration and confident carving.
