An amazing Tsuba Daisho in Shakudo covered with fine Nanako showing two Dragons in the clouds (‘Un’ cloud, ‘Ryu’ dragon) made in gold uttori technique in an astonishing high relief.
Kaga Goto is the name for the school which was founded by the 7th Goto mainline master Kenjo around 1627 in Kanazawa (Kaga province). Kenjo is regarded as one of the best masters of the Goto school and he revitalised the very traditional workmanship with his great skill and care for detail and expression. He was working in Kyoto and Kanazawa on an alternating two year schedule. Under his influence many students and branches of the Goto school emerged.
This Daisho here dates to around the middle Edo period (1750).
We can often find the depiction of the Unryu on the ceilings of Buddhist temples in Japan where priests are teaching. It is said that the Unryu can bring down the rain of the dharma which is equivalent to the teachings of the Buddha. The dragon as one of the eight guardians of Buddhism furthermore shall provide protection from fire.
This Daisho is made from Shakudo and a fine Nanako covers the whole surface and even the slightly rounded rim. The dragons are made in Okigane or Kin-kise techniqe, a soldering application of a gold foil onto the Shakudo ground. The relief is crisp and high as it raises about 3.3 mm above the base plate at its highest point.
The NBTHK has attributed this Daisho to Kaga Goto with a Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate in 2002.
The certificate has seen some discoloration of the years.
Comes with a custom made Kiri box.
Dai:
H: 7.5 cm
W: 7.3 cm
R: 5 mm
Sd: 5 mm
Sho:
H: 7.2 cm
W: 6.9 cm
R: 5 mm
Sd: 5 mm
