"He was a disciple of Naokatsu Inagawa and the founder of the Kikuchi school. In his later years, he became a priest and called himself 'SOJU'."
He was good at takabori-iroe, hair carving, and katagiri carving. He formed a powerful family in the Yokoya school and produced many disciples.
Mei: 'TSUNEMITSU'. See Haynes Index H 10845.0. Born 1704, signed at age 64 in 1768. Student of Kikuchi Tsunekatsu.
The design of a torii gate and trees is said to have been inspired by Zeami's Noh play "Aritsuji," a popular and beloved subject during the Edo period. The protagonist of this painting, "Aritsuji Palace," is the Heian period poet Ki no Tsurayuki. While making a pilgrimage to Tamatsushima Daimyojin Shrine in Sumiyoshi, known as the god of waka poetry, he rode his horse into the grounds without realizing it was Aritsuji Palace. The weather immediately turned stormy, preventing him from continuing his horse. An old man appeared, told him he was at Aritsuji Shrine, and explained that he had incurred the god's wrath by riding his horse there. Upon learning that the traveler was Ki no Tsurayuki, the old man suggested he dedicate a poem to it, to which Ki no Tsurayuki responded with the following poem: "Rainclouds gather round, midnight, so perhaps I should think of it as a beautiful sight
." The old man was deeply impressed, and declared himself Aritsuji Shrine's true deity before leaving. This piece depicts such an "Aritsuji Palace."
This exquisite tsuba features the Aritsuji Palace design on a high-quality polished copper base, crafted with the artist's signature Yanagawa-style kebori (hair engraving), katakiribori (carving with a single cut), and flat inlay techniques.
" (Long)
Height 7.21cm, Width 6.90cm, Thickness 0.40cm. |
