Fuchi matchbox - styles and origin thoughts?

[Jesta]

I picked this up because I thought that it was interesting. It is a matchbox made from five fuchi, with the top of a kashira to close it off. It is nicely done, and I am guessing that it is Meji-period, using earlier pieces. 

 

If anyone has any thoughts on the origins of any of the individual fuchi, I would be grateful… 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Vesta! That is so neat! The waves look at a glance like Ōmori work, but there were many imitators.

[Brian]

Jesta's Vesta :-)
Sorry...had to say it. (Vesta is the name of these matchbox items, as Piers mentioned)

[Jesta]

6 minutes ago, Brian said:

Jesta's Vesta :-)
Sorry...had to say it. (Vesta is the name of these matchbox items, as Piers mentioned)

Thank you both. I didn’t know the name, although Swan Vestas were matches when I was growing up, and Vesta was a Roman goddess when I was studying… 

 

[Robert S]

Given how precisely all of those fuchi match in size and shape, I rather wonder if they weren't all made as a set, for this very purpose.  Totally gorgeous object!

[Jesta]

4 hours ago, Robert S said:

Given how precisely all of those fuchi match in size and shape, I rather wonder if they weren't all made as a set, for this very purpose.  Totally gorgeous object!

I can’t say for certain, but it would seem unlikely. The second one up from the bottom has the little flat area for the kozuka, which would imply an attention to detail that might be a step too far. I would guess that towards the end of the Edo period there would be so many of these things floating around that there would be no need to make new ones for something like this. It fits with the repurposing of menuki into earrings, and pouch clasps, and the re-use of tsuba in furniture and boxes that we also see.