Kantei

NH-0749 Rank 64

Kozuka · Gotō Ichijō

後藤一乗 (Gotō Ichijō)

Polished shibuichi kozuka showing Mount Fuji and a streaming banner, signed by Gotō Ichijō with the Hokkyō title and his kaō, with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers.

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

Photographs by the seller at origin.

Description

Kozuka signed 後藤法橋一乗 (Gotō Hokkyō Ichijō) with his kaō, by Gotō Ichijō (1791-1876), the master who renewed the Gotō school in the nineteenth century. The reverse, with a gold-coloured plate, carries a dedication stating that it was made to order for a certain Yoshida. The subject, which the paper titles 富嶽流れ旗図 (Fugaku nagare-hata zu), shows Mount Fuji in very low relief on a polished shibuichi ground, with an inlaid streaming banner and a haze of fine gold grains across the whole surface. According to the paper, the technique is 四分一磨地 (shibuichi migaki-ji), 薄肉彫 (usuniku-bori) and 象嵌色絵 (zōgan iroe). The photographs show an even, natural dark grey patina, well-preserved gold and edges without visible damage, with only light wear from use. The piece comes with NBTHK 特別保存刀装具 (tokubetsu hozon tōsōgu) papers, number 2008151, dated December 2021, which accept the signature. It measures 9.68 × 1.44 cm according to the original seller.

Strong points

  • Signed by Gotō Ichijō with the Hokkyō title and kaō
  • NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers confirming the signature
  • Mount Fuji and streaming banner on polished shibuichi with a gold haze
  • Commission dedication on the gold reverse plate

Points to bear in mind

  • One character of the dedication is illegible, and the paper also leaves it blank
  • The photographs are a composite of moderate resolution

Score breakdown

63.7/100

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 25 of 25 Genuine signature of a first-rank master, confirmed by the paper
  2. Workmanship 15 of 20 Notable 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 0.7 of 10 Rank 55 of 59 by price among pieces of its type, from the most affordable to the dearest