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KAMAKURA-BORI
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KAMAKURA-BORI
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| R. E. Haynes / E. D. Long Collection | $2000.00 |
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"A fine classic Kamakura-bori tsuba with sukashi design of a cherry bloom and one tumble doll (kukurizaru), which is a very unusual combination of subjects. The face is carved with palm leaves, flower branch, wooden bridge, grass and water lines. The reverse is carved with clouds, a bridge, rocks, and grass. The slightly raised carved rim later had a rim cover added, which is now lost. The hitsu-ana has been enlarged at the top. The surface still retains almost all of its original black lacquer. This is the prototypical example of all the very best Kamakura-bori tsuba, and it dates from the middle Muromachi period." (Haynes)
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"The designs employed on kamakura-bori are executed by a carving technique known as 'usuniku-bori' which is accomplished by removing a little of the flat surface of the plate ground leaving a raised design but level with the ground in low relief.
The great popularity this style of tsuba possessed was due to the samurai class who kept this style alive for more than two hundred years. The samurai saw in the Kamakura-bori tsuba his own ideal of taste and reserve." (Long) |
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"The (tumble doll sukashi design) kukurizaru originally represented the Buddhist saint Daruma. Many samurai were attracted by the self-righting aspect. For this reason they probably symbolize a desire to be courageous and indomitable.
Samurai were very attracted by the purity and short life of the cherry blossom which symbolized the hope for gallantry and bravery. The combination of these restrained designs brings several different poetic images to mind." (Long) 8.2cm x 8.15cm x 0.25cm |
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A Collaboration of Robert E. Haynes and Elliott D. Long |
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