SOLD – Kogai, Kyo Kinko, ’Tamaoiryuu’ no Zu

A Kyo Kinko Kogai with the design of the descending dragon holding the sacred jewel.

A classic and elegant Kyo Kinko Kogai with the design of a dragon holding the Hoju. The so called flaming pearl of wisdom’ or jewel symbolises wisdom and enlightenment and represents the spiritual essences of the universe in Buddhist symbolism. There are further legends that the jewel held by the dragon grants any wish to the bearer.

The dragon is worked in delicately carved and very exact Takabori (high relief) from Shakudo.  The rest of the mon is covered with splendidly fine linear Nanako. The jewel, the eyes of the dragon and his whiskers are inlaid in gold. Besides the Mon the whole Kogai is covered with thick gold foil engraved with diagonal Yasurime (file marks).

The form of the Warabite and the slanting shoulders of the Kogai are done in the style of the early to middle Edo-period (1650 – 1750). The overall excellent workmanship of this piece make it difficult to distinguish from a work of the Goto school, which shows that the quality of Machibori Kyo Kinko schools had already reached a similar level as that of the Goto school.

The entire preservation of this piece is excellent. The NBTHK Hozon Kanteisho of Reiwa 4 (7th July 2022) attributes this Kogai to Kyo-Kinko.

Comes with a custom made Kiri box and the NBTHK Hozon certificate.

21.1 cm x 1.28 cm x 0.58 cm