Gotō Sōchi Fuchigashira

Gotō Sōchi (宗知) fuchi-kashira set (縁頭) with motif of two haiku (俳句) poems.  The base metal is a shibuichi  alloy (四分一), sometimes also called oborogin (朧銀). The surface is polished (migaki-ji 磨地) to bring out depth and fine color details of the alloy.   The shitodome (鵐目) of the kashira are gold.  The carving is well executed in kebori (毛彫), or fine, linear carving.  Two poems by Matsuo Bashō (松尾 芭蕉, 1644-1694) are carved, one each on the fushi and kashira.  Lovely composition invoking imagery of peace and tranquility. The subtle greys of the alloy play into the autumnal theme of the haiku, bringing images of an overcast grey sky.

The Fuchi is signed: 斎戒  沐浴刻 之 宗知 (Saikai Mokuyoku kore o kizamu)  with a personal seal or kaō.  This translates as: "Carved by Sōchi after ritual purification."

Haynes: Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists, Reference: 8860, page 1761.

Translation of the Fuchi Haiku follows:

毛の い偏盤 唇寒し 秋乃風 (Mono; ieba; kuchibiru-samushi; ake no kaze) "Say something; and the lips go cold; the autumn wind"

Translation of the Kashira Haiku follows:

古泄や 蛙とひ  込水の音 (Furuike ya; kawazu tobi-; komu, mizu no oto) "The old pond; a frog jumps in-; the sound of water"

Translation of the Hozon paper description follows:

俳句図縁頭 (Haiku no zu fuchigashira)

斎戒  沐浴刻 之 宗知  (花押) (Saikai Mokuyoku kore o kizamu Sōchi + kaō)

朧銀磨地  毛彫 (Oborogin migaki-ji kebori)

Reiwa 1^st  year (2019) May 28^th

Measurements: Fuchi: 3.75cm x 1.94cm x 1.16cm   Kashira: 3.55cm x 2.1cm x 0.67cm.  Custom fitted box included.

Edo Period (江戸時代), ca. 1800

SOLD