lidded oval container decorated with vignettes

(Fuchi-gashira box), late 19th century

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A matching set of collar (fuchi) and pommel (kashira) sword fittings have been reworked here into a pill box. The layman Kitagawa Sōten (18th century) of Hikone in Omi province made the pair in the late 18th century. Sōten was originally from Kyoto and was first called Hidenori, later using the name Mogarashi (also pronounced Sōheishi). The Sōten school was well-known for employing Chinese motifs on their works that have, like this example, a background of shakudō (copper-gold alloy) with small punched dots (nanako) decorated with copper, silver, and gold high relief inlays (takazōgan). This pair was reworked in the late 19th century into a pill box where the pommel became the lid and the collar the base with a silver capsule inside.

Details
Title
(Fuchi-gashira box)
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2013.29.1145
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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lidded oval container decorated with vignettes