Ron STL Posted March 3, 2023 Report Posted March 3, 2023 Here is a shakudo kogai signed by Mitsuyuki, who is also Ryujo Teiho, 6th generation of Shichirobe family, son of Goto Kyujo. The motif, which looks like a scroll, is what I'm trying to identify. In Elements of Japanese Design I came across a similar motif under "Amulets." In the text is some interesting comments on Christian crosses which may or may not relate to this kogai. The NTHK(NPO) has some description of the motif which I can not translate without help. Does anyone know if this scroll-like motif is indeed an amulet or is there another name for this motif. As always, I am trying to correctly describe favorite items from my collection. Photos show the details and the books comments. As always, thanks for your help. Ron STL 2 Quote
MauroP Posted March 3, 2023 Report Posted March 3, 2023 A nice kogai, but the hidden cross is not so hidden… Moreover its placement is slightly asymmetrical, and this could be suspicious for a later addition. 1 Quote
Ron STL Posted March 3, 2023 Author Report Posted March 3, 2023 The cross becomes hidden with the kogai is placed into the saya. I too figured it may be a later addition but interesting to think about possibilities. Ron STL 1 Quote
kyushukairu Posted March 4, 2023 Report Posted March 4, 2023 The NTHK attribution states ‘scroll in bamboo grass’ [sasa no makimono no zu 笹に卷物の図], and I think that’s all the design is supposed to be. The Gion mamori [祇園守り] (amulet) is a very specific design, of two scrolls in the centre of two gingko leaves. It’s a nice kogai with an interesting addition though. 2 Quote
MauroP Posted March 4, 2023 Report Posted March 4, 2023 Anyway the description on the paper just report 笹に巻物の図 - sasa ni makimono no zu (ops, Kyle was faster than me) 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted March 4, 2023 Report Posted March 4, 2023 Interesting I agree. The Ikeda were not only Christian, but they used a version of the Gion-mamori above, which is still said today to have been a way of hiding their Christian past. *They were from Sakai where there were a lot of converts and the crossed scrolls is said to take its origins from the cross of St. Andrew. Among their various kamon, they also used a version of the sasa-lindo mon, which is made using lindo flowers and sasa (low ground cover leafy bamboo) leaves. *大名家の家紋 高橋賢一 Daimyo-Ke no Kamon, Takahashi Kenichi 2 Quote
Ron STL Posted March 4, 2023 Author Report Posted March 4, 2023 Thank you all for explaining this motif and verifying it for me. I would have never gotten to that conclusion along. I am also so pleased to learn more about the Ikeda and their use of the crossed scrolls amulet. I did not notice the "crossed scrolls" positioning resembling a cross. It's what the eyes "see" when looking at these mon and pointing out the importance of observing things more closely. I will share this information with our few local fellows today when they visit. Ron STL Quote
Ron STL Posted March 16, 2023 Author Report Posted March 16, 2023 I did have another question regarding the hidden cross on this kogai. This photo shows the section on the NTHK origami that covers motif, I believe. Can someone tell me if the cross is mentioned here? Thanks, Ron STL Quote
SteveM Posted March 16, 2023 Report Posted March 16, 2023 Hello Ron 笹に巻物の図 高彫金色絵 Bamboo with Scroll High relief, iroe 1 Quote
Ron STL Posted March 16, 2023 Author Report Posted March 16, 2023 Thanks Steve. I should have looked closer at this post since this was already answered, earlier. Ron STL Quote
k morita Posted March 16, 2023 Report Posted March 16, 2023 Hi, @Ron STL I think this scroll-like motif is called kake-mamori (A traveler's HANGING AMULET BOX). Therefore, although the description of origami says a scroll, this is a kake-mamori (掛守)and not a scroll. https://www.gardnermuseum.org/experience/collection/11663 4 2 1 Quote
k morita Posted March 17, 2023 Report Posted March 17, 2023 The link below is also helpful. The motif of this kozuka is kake-mamori. https://asahitoken.jp/contents/02_tosogu/details/tosogu-KZ/KZ048.html 2 1 Quote
Spartancrest Posted March 19, 2023 Report Posted March 19, 2023 On 3/3/2023 at 10:34 PM, Ron STL said: Photos show the details and the books comments. Expand A little off the subject of kozuka but related to this image from the first post. A number of tsuba incorporate some of the designs shown [1479]- one like this. 1 Quote
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