A Goto school horse menuki with a Fake signature, interesting?

[Jack Zacao]

Hello everyone,

 

I am a new member here and this is my first post.

 

I recently came across a menuki repurposed as a tobacco pouch clasp, which is common in Meiji period. The design is very common and typical Goto school I would say. However, the metal work is exquisite compared to some other horse menuki I have seen. Upon close inspection I found it is actually signed on the side. The signature says "光乘" who is the fourth master of Goto main family line. Further research tells me that the pieces are normally not signed before the fifth generation of Goto family. Does it mean this is a fake signature and/or a fake piece. Any thoughts? 

 

I appreciate your comment and insight.

 

Here is the piece

 

[Jack Zacao]

Here is the signature and back.

[Brian]

Quality is good. Although I'm not qualified to say, I think it has a chance of being shoshin. Also this is a fairly unusual case of it actually being made as a menuki first, not just being a menuki-style ornament.

[Jack Zacao]

Thank you for your comment. The tobacco pouch and pipe case also are of very high quality which makes me believe it might be made early masters of Goto family but signed by later generations to certify it. It is common on kozukas but not Menuki due to the size. I forgot to mention the size is just over 1 and 1/4 inch which is typical.  
 

The practice of using genuine Menuki as pouch clasp can be found on high end products. Below is an example I found：
https://www.bonhams....8-late-19th-century/

 

the rooster is one out of the typical pair of Menuki with rooster and hen designs.