NH-0767 Rank 329
Fuchi-kashira · Shōnai
Brass fuchi-kashira with an inlaid rain dragon (amaryō) over a cracked-bark ground, unsigned and attributed by its NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper to the Shōnai school.
Photographs
Photographs by the seller at origin.
Description
An unsigned fuchi-kashira which the NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper, issued in 2021, titles 雨龍図縁頭 (amaryō-zu fuchigashira), "fuchi-kashira with rain dragon", and attributes to the 庄内 (Shōnai) school of Dewa province. The paper describes the work as 真鍮割目模様地 象嵌 色絵 (shinchū warime moyō-ji zōgan iroe): a brass ground worked as cracked bark, with inlay and colour accents. The photographs show a dark-metal amaryō in relief winding in an S across the kashira and continuing around the fuchi, head at the front and tail along the side; the vertical chiselling of the ground gives a lively effect of weathered wood or stone. Condition is good: the brass high points are polished by handling, the dragon keeps its detail, and no cracks, dents or rust are visible. The fuchi's tenjō is copper with a red patina. According to the original seller, the fuchi measures 4.0 × 2.4 cm and the kashira 3.7 × 2.18 cm.
Strong points
- NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper (2021)
- Rain dragon (amaryō) in relief linking kashira and fuchi
- Brass ground with cracked-bark texture, a characterful provincial style
- Good condition, no visible damage
Points to bear in mind
- Unsigned: the paper attributes it only to the Shōnai school, not to a maker
- The late Edo dating is inferred from style; the paper gives no date of making
- Light handling wear on the brass high points
Score breakdown
48.5/100
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.
- Maker 9 of 25 Attributed to a school only
- Workmanship 10 of 20 Good work
- Condition 14 of 18 Good condition
- Period 5 of 12 Late Edo (1781–1868)
- Paper 4 of 10 NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu
- Extras 0 of 5 No complete set by the same maker and no inscribed box
- Price 6.5 of 10 Rank 10 of 27 by price among pieces of its type, from the most affordable to the dearest