Futatokoro-mono (二所物) consisting of fuchi-kashira and menuki, by Funada Ikkin (船田一琴), with motif of Saikan Sanyu or "Three Friends of Winter" (歳寒三友). The Three Friends of Winter consisted of the Pine tree, Bamboo and the Plum tree. These three survived the winter without losing their greenery, and for that reason are symbolic of constancy, endurance and on a more human level, incorruptability. All three are also auspicious symbols.
This set is rendered in black shakudō alloy (赤銅地), with gold gilding. Decorative motifs on the fuchigashira are carved in a particular style called Kōsuki-kebori (甲鋤毛彫), whereby a crescent or shell-shaped chisel tip was used to carve linear elements. This technique added subtle irregularities to the carved lines, making features such as branches more pleasing and realistic. This carving technique was a specialty of Funada Ikkin. In addition, the plate of the fuchigashira is very finely textured, giving the appearance of a subtle granular, rocky surface or ishime-ji (石目地). The fuchi is signed Ikkin (一琴) and with his personal seal or kaō. The menuki are in the form of pine branches and bamboo, carved in high relief and in a technique called katachibori (容彫), whereby the motif itself forms the outline of the menuki. Gold gilding is used to define the bamboo leaves and branch-end buds. The menuki are signed Funada Ikkin (船田一琴 with kaō), in a way such that the signature is split between the menuki, and appears on the side of each. This is termed warikibata-mei (割際端銘). The condition of this set is excellent, and workmanship reflective of a master craftsman. If you are a collector of late kinko works, this set is would be a fine addition and a great study.
Funada Ikkin (1812-1863) was a student of Gotō Ichijō. Upon studying for 10 years with Ichijō, he was awarded the Ichi (一) character, and took the name Ikkin. He became a retainer of the Sakai Daimyō (Shōnai, Dewa province). There were two generations of Ikkin, with the son succeeding to the name, and also student of Ichijō. Their styles are similar, but the works of the first master, or shodai, are superior, and are typically associated with the kōsuki-kebori technique, as seen in the set offered here. This set comes in a custom-fitted box.
Translation of the Tokubetsu Hozon paper follows:
歳寒三友図 揃金具(Saikan Sanyu no zu
soroi-kanagu)
縁頭 赤銅石目地 甲鋤毛彫 (Fuchigashira: Shakudō
ishime-ji Kōsuki-kebori)
目貫
Heisei 30th year (2018) May 10th
Measurements: Fuchi: 4.0cm x 2.2cm x 1.2cm Kashira: 3.6cm x 2.1cm x 0.9cm Menuki: 5.5cm x 1.4cm x 0.7cm
Late Edo Period (江戸時代)
$4,300
info@tosoguya.com
