Jump to content

Ezo Menuki awarded Tokubetsu Hozon. Very unusual theme.


Chishiki

Recommended Posts

2 hours ago, Brian said:

Getting papers to Ezo is quite something. Congrats!

Thanks Brian.  I believed they were Ezo when I sent them.   I was really worried they may get parked in ‘ko kinko’ or other generic group.  I also submitted another pair that also go Ezo but they were more classic.   Mark

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/4/2021 at 10:57 AM, Bazza said:

Stunner Mark, stunner.  Congrats on the ranking. As Ian said, draw attention to the head of the animal - what does it mean??

 

BaZZa.

Hi Barry, thanks.   Yes it’s easy to assume they are outright shishi until you notice the human heads.   I have never seen another pair of menuki like them.   What it means?   No idea.   Apparently there was a folk tale in the 19thC of some kind of human heads on dogs but these are shishi and muromachi period.   Hope you are well and up to a visit one day soon.   Mark

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

These appear to be Kudan. Although traditionally a kudan is described as a human faced cow, they're considered auspicious creatures and they cannot tell a lie.

The kudan became very popular in folk mythology during the late 19th century but there are references to the creature going back as early as the Heian period. 

  • Like 4
  • Love 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, Ford Hallam said:

These appear to be Kudan. Although traditionally a kudan is described as a human faced cow, they're considered auspicious creatures and they cannot tell a lie.

The kudan became very popular in folk mythology during the late 19th century but there are references to the creature going back as early as the Heian period. 

Hi Ford.

 

I have been able to find out there was Jinmenken and now kudan.   One a dog with human head and now a cow with human head, fascinating.   But what we are looking at here are shishi with human heads.   It may be the artist doing a one time special order, or way back there is a Japanese folklore or tale of this spirit.   All interesting and unusual.   Thanks Ford.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one, unless your post is really relevant and adds to the topic..

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...