Kantei

NH-0778 Rank 94

Futatokoro · Issai Tōmei

一斎東明 (Issai Tōmei)

Kozuka and kōgai in shakudō nanako with millet ears in takabori and gold iroe, signed Issai Tōmei with kaō, with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper.

Futatokoro (kozuka and kōgai)Late Edo (1781–1868)Late Edo period (19th century)NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu

Photographs by the seller at origin.

Description

A two-piece set (futatokoro) comprising a kozuka and a kōgai by the same maker. The reverses bear the signature 一斎東明 (Issai Tōmei) followed by his kaō; the original seller attributes it to Araki Tōmei (1817–1870), a late Edo metalworker trained under Gotō Tōjō and Gotō Ichijō and famed for his millet ears. The theme is indeed millet ears (awaho) with curling leaves, carved in takabori on a very even shakudō nanako ground, with colour inlays (zōgan iroe) in gold and reddish tones; the ends carry gilt fittings and the lower part of the kōgai is gilt. The photographs show crisp nanako, intact gilding on the reliefs and an even black patina, with no visible knocks. The NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu paper, dated 8 July 2015, describes it as 粟穂図二所 (awaho-zu futatokoro), kozuka and kōgai, in 赤銅魚子地 (shakudō nanako-ji), 高彫 (takabori) and 象嵌色絵 (zōgan iroe), and accepts the signature. According to the original seller, it is kept in a kiri box.

Strong points

  • Signature 一斎東明 (Issai Tōmei) with kaō, accepted by the paper
  • NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu paper (2015)
  • Complete kozuka and kōgai set by the same maker
  • Millet ears, the maker's signature motif, in takabori and iroe on shakudō nanako
  • Nanako and gilding well preserved in the photographs

Points to bear in mind

  • The detail photographs are small; condition is judged on reduced images.
  • Biographical details of the maker come from the original seller, not from the paper.

Score breakdown

61.4/100

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 19 of 25 Genuine signature of a known maker or school
  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 3 of 5 Adds: complete set by the same maker
  7. Price 1.4 of 10 Rank 7 of 8 by price among pieces of its type, from the most affordable to the dearest