NH-0835 Rank 69
Fuchi-kashira · Masakuni
政国 (Masakuni)
Polished shibuichi fuchi-kashira signed Masakuni with kaō: a watchful eagle on the kashira and a monkey hiding among branches on the fuchi. NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper.
Photographs
Photographs by the seller at origin.
Description
A fuchi-kashira signed Masakuni with kaō, as recorded by the NBTHK paper, which reads 政国（花押） (Masakuni kaō). The subject, titled on the paper 猛禽隠猿図 (probable reading: mōkin in'en-zu), "bird of prey and hidden monkey", is shared between the two pieces: on the kashira an eagle perched on a branch turns its head, its plumage carved in high relief with fine kebori lines and its talons in gold; on the fuchi a golden monkey shelters among branches and rocks, surrounded by inlaid touches of gold and silver, while the plain reverse carries only a few gold branches and bamboo leaves. The paper describes the work as 四分一磨地 (shibuichi migaki-ji), 鋤出高彫 (sukidashi takabori) and 象嵌色絵 (zōgan iroe). The photographs show a dark, warm and consistent patina, with the gold intact on the high points and only light rubbing on the plain surfaces. It comes with an NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu certificate, no. 2010088, dated 2023, and is presented in an uninscribed wooden box.
Strong points
- NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu paper (2023)
- Signed Masakuni with kaō, signature accepted by the paper
- Narrative composition shared between fuchi and kashira
- Eagle plumage in takabori with crisp kebori detail
- Polished shibuichi with gold and silver iroe inlays
Points to bear in mind
- The signature is not photographed close up; it is attested by the paper
- The period is inferred from style; the original seller gives only the Edo period
- Light rubbing on the plain surfaces of the fuchi and a small greenish spot on the kashira
Score breakdown
63.2/100
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 19 of 25 Genuine signature of a known maker or school
- Workmanship 15 of 20 Notable 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 6.2 of 10 Rank 11 of 27 by price among pieces of its type, from the most affordable to the dearest