Sword Guard with Jigoku Dayū, a Courtesan, Design
By Fukawa Kazunori（2nd generation）
Japan Meiji period dated 1903
Nezu Museum
An impressive sword guard shaped like a skull. The skull motif and the Hell pattern on the woman’s uchikake robe evoke the courtesan Jigoku Dayū and the Buddhist monk-poet Ikkyū Sōjun, respectively. Their encounter was a popular subject in paintings. Fukawa Kazunori (2nd generation, 1855-1919) was a metalsmith in Tokyo who won many prizes at the National Industrial Exhibitions and other events.

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Fukawa Kazunori Jigoku unusualshape