Kantei

NH-0789 Rank 3

Futatokoro · Gotō Kenjō

後藤顕乗 (Gotō Kenjō)

A kozuka and kōgai set in shakudō nanako with Zen motifs in gold, signed by Gotō Kenjō and designated Jūyō Tōsōgu by the NBTHK (67th session).

Futatokoro (kozuka and kōgai)Early Edo (1615–1688)Early Edo period (17th century)NBTHK Jūyō Tōsōgu

Photographs by the seller at origin.

Description

A futatokoro comprising a kozuka and a kōgai, both signed 後藤顕乗 (Gotō Kenjō) with kaō. Gotō Kenjō (1586–1663), of the main Gotō family, ranks among the school's great metalworkers of the early Edo period. The motifs are ritual implements of Zen Buddhism: on the kōgai, a gyoban, the fish-shaped wooden gong holding a pearl in its mouth; on the kozuka, a dragon-headed staff (ryūjō) and a hossu, the master's fly whisk. The photographs show a very fine, even shakudō nanako ground, with the motifs in takabori heightened with gold iroe; the back of the kozuka and the reverse of the kōgai carry gold applied in kezuri-tsugi, where the chiselled signature is read. The contrast between black shakudō and gold gives the pair a restrained, refined character. The visible condition is good: crisp nanako, gold intact on the high points and an even patina. The NBTHK paper designates the set Jūyō Tōsōgu, dated 29 October 2021, accepts the signature on both pieces and places it in the early Edo period. The original seller states that it is kept in a kiri box.

Strong points

  • NBTHK Jūyō Tōsōgu designation (2021)
  • Gotō Kenjō signature accepted by the paper on both pieces
  • Fine, even shakudō nanako with takabori and gold iroe
  • Uncommon Zen iconography: gyoban, ryūjō and hossu
  • Complete set by the same maker

Points to bear in mind

  • The photographs are a collage of moderately sized views; fine condition details cannot be fully judged
  • The paper mentions silver iroe, which is not clearly distinguishable in the photographs

Score breakdown

76.9/100

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 9 of 12 Early Edo (1615–1688)
  5. Paper 8 of 10 NBTHK Jūyō Tōsōgu
  6. Extras 3 of 5 Adds: complete set by the same maker
  7. Price 2.9 of 10 Rank 6 of 8 by price among pieces of its type, from the most affordable to the dearest