... especially for b.hennick

[docliss]

Dear Barry

 

As a professed lover of iron work, the attached images of two further iron kodzuka are especially for you.

 

Measuring 9.7 cm – 1.4 cm, the first is of a darkly patinated metal, modelled as a usuniku-bori image of a tachi-style tsuka with five kanji upon it. These read ‘Hachiman Dai Bo Satsu’ (Hachiman Great Buddha Elect), the first being depicted as an ideograph of two doves (hato) back-to-back, with tiny, inlaid silver eyes. These doves, as Hachiman’s attendants, would have been readily identified by any viewer of the piece. The reverse is undecorated and is polished — by wear, I suspect, rather than by intention. It is difficult to envisage a more militaristic kodogu. ? C16 Myōchin work.

 

The second is 9.1 cm – 1.4 cm, and is of a very dark, textured iron. It is divided into five segments, the outside two of which have a beautifully executed, deep transverse grooving. Inside these, and separated from them by gold hira-zōgan diaper inlays, are two segments with delicate, kebori grooving. The centre segment also has a gold hira-zōgan diaper design. The reverse is slightly polished by wear, and is undecorated. The condition of the inlay is remarkably good, considering its apparent age. There is an associated wari-kōgai with this kodzuka but, together, they do not constitute a true futatokoro-mono. ? C17 Kyō-Shoami work.

 

Regards, John L.

[b.hennick]

Hi John:

I have several of the second type. I still like the first one the best!

Sorry that it took so long to reply but I was away at my cottage until this evening.