-, 48th Session — Designated October 11, 2002
matching fittings set ( , , , ), : Unsuiken Toshinobu (雲水軒利信)
Measurements
- (dai): height 7.55 cm; width 7.0 cm; rim thickness 0.4 cm
- : length 9.7 cm (other measurements not clearly legible in the source entry)
- : length 26.3 cm; shoulder width 1.0 cm; head height 1.2 cm
- (shō): height 7.3 cm; width 6.6 cm; rim thickness 0.4 cm
- : measurements are recorded in the source entry, but portions are unclear/fragmentary as transmitted here
Description
Form: ; ; ; (a matched set) Material: Surface: Design: Kirin (麒麟) motif throughout, with gold crests (-) Decoration: gold crests (-) on ; and with gilt reverse (’) Rim (): (squared rim with slight rounded “meat”) (): both with two ; on the pair, the large guard has both apertures filled with gold; the small guard has both apertures fitted with gold and additional gold work as described in the source entry Signature: “Unsūken Toshinobu” with (雲水軒利信（花押）)
Artisan
Unsūken Toshinobu (雲水軒利信), a follower of the Kikuoka tradition.
Era
Late period.
Explanation
Toshinobu was a pupil of Kikuoka Mitsutoshi. He was also known by the name Shimane Seijirō and used the art name Unsūken. His manner of work employs the solid and dependable carving methods of the Kikuoka lineage. He produced fittings such as , , and , but comparatively few works by him survive today.
This piece is a matched set of fittings decorated with kirin, regarded as foremost among auspicious mythical beasts. The , , , and are all executed in with gold crests; furthermore, the and are finished with gilt reverses. In every respect the work conforms to the Kikuoka style, and the chiselwork is also minute and precise. As one of the rare surviving examples by this craftsman, it is a valuable work, and it is also important for appreciating the high level of his technique.