Kantei

NH-0501 Rank 321

Kozuka · Kaga kinkō

Unsigned kozuka by the Kaga metalworkers, with a flock of cranes among pines and waves in gold relief on shakudō nanako; NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper.

KozukaLate Edo (1781–1868)Late Edo period (19th century)NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu

Photographs by the seller at origin.

Description

An unsigned kozuka attributed by the NBTHK paper to the 加賀金工 (Kaga kinkō), the metalworkers of the Kaga domain. The subject, 群鶴図 (gunkaku-zu), is a flock of cranes moving through dwarf bamboo and pines, with waves along the upper edge. The ground is shakudō with fine, even nanako, and the decoration is carved in sukidashi takabori with inlays of gold and coloured metals (zōgan and iroe); the waves appear silvery in the photographs. The gilt ura-ita carries cranes in flight, water and reeds engraved in kebori line. The photographs show an even black patina, crisp nanako and raised gold without losses; the gilding on the back has fine wear scratches. The original seller gives dimensions of 9.78 × 1.40 cm, describes it as Kaga Gotō and supplies it in a kiri box. NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu paper no. 2011523, dated June 2025.

Strong points

  • NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu paper
  • Flock of cranes among pines and waves, a dense and lively composition
  • Shakudō nanako with sukidashi takabori, zōgan and gold iroe
  • Gilt ura-ita with cranes in flight engraved in kebori

Points to bear in mind

  • Unsigned: the paper attributes it to the Kaga school in general, not to a named maker nor specifically to the Kaga Gotō branch
  • The period is inferred from style; neither signature nor paper states it
  • The gilding of the ura-ita shows fine wear scratches

Score breakdown

49.1/100

The score shares out 100 points: Maker 25 · Workmanship 20 · Condition 18 · Period 12 · Paper 10 · Extras 5 · Price 10. It is computed from the record, not from an opinion. Maker, workmanship, condition and period are judged from the photographs and the paper; price is compared only with fittings of the same type.

  1. Maker 9 of 25 Attributed to a school only
  2. Workmanship 10 of 20 Good work
  3. Condition 14 of 18 Good condition
  4. Period 5 of 12 Late Edo (1781–1868)
  5. Paper 4 of 10 NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu
  6. Extras 0 of 5 No complete set by the same maker and no inscribed box
  7. Price 7.1 of 10 Rank 18 of 59 by price among pieces of its type, from the most affordable to the dearest