TORYO: A SUPERB BAKUMATSU COPPER TSUBA OF THE BUNBUKU CHAGAMA

Sold for €2,860

including Buyer’s Premium

Lot details

By Toryo, signed Toryo 東凌
Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Of tate-itomaki-gata with sumikiri corners, finely decorated in shibuichi, gold and copper takazogan depicting a tanuki seated by a tea kettle holding a teacup, the reverse with an idyllic scene of a straw hut below the moon in shibuichi, silver, and gold takazogan, inscribed Higashidaishita Shinobigaoka no hotori ni oite kore o saku, signed TORYO and with a seal.

SIZE 8.2 x 8.1 cm
WEIGHT 246.3 g

Condition: Very good condition, minor wear, few minuscule nicks here and there.
Provenance: British collection.

The popular folktale Bunbuku-Chagama tells of a tanuki being mistreated as a tea kettle at a temple, before being sold off and bringing great wealth to its new owner using its shapeshifting powers.

source: https://www.zacke.at/auction/lot/lot-144—toryo-a-superb-bakumatsu-copper-tsuba-of-the-bunbuku-chagama/?lot=24127&so=0&st=&sto=0&au=63&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=1&pp=96&pn=1&g=1