Iaido dude Posted January 21 Report Posted January 21 (edited) A fine Japanese cast bronze (presumed) double gourd (hyotan) bud vase with tasseled cords, a stopper and Noh Theater Demon Mask "Netsuke" well detailed around the sides with reddish-brown colored patina. The slightly recessed base is impressed with a seal mark of Mouri Motonari (元就, 1947–present), a prominent metal craftsman working out of Takaoka City in Japan, specializing in creating high-quality, handcrafted, and detailed samurai helmet (kabuto) figurines and traditional bronze, iron, and brass-based metalwork. These traditional Japanese handicrafts (Takaoka Copper Crafts) are frequently designed for display and commemoration incorporating authentic, detailed, and symbolic designs. The work is deeply inspired by Mōri Motonari (1497-1571), a famous strategist and Sengoku period warlord from the Chūgoku region, often depicting items such as the "Three Arrows" story or specific kabuto armor. In hope of encouraging three of his sons, Mōri Takamoto, Kikkawa Motoharu, and Kobayakawa Takakage, to work together for the benefit of the Mōri clan, he is said to have handed each of his sons an arrow and asked each to snap it. After each snapped his arrow, Motonari produced three more arrows and asked his sons to snap all three at once. When they could not do so, Motonari explained that one arrow could be broken easily, but three arrows held together could not. It is a lesson that is still taught today in Japanese schools and the legend is believed to have been a source of inspiration for Akira Kurosawa when writing his samurai epic Ran. Height 9 1/4 inches X diameter 3 1/4 inches. Edited January 21 by Iaido dude 3 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted January 22 Report Posted January 22 The second kanji looks more like a different -nari, i.e. 成 Nice object! Quote
Iaido dude Posted January 22 Author Report Posted January 22 (edited) Thanks Piers. You are right. I think I just pulled down the wrong kanji. I think this old dodger is still alive! Not sure if there is a particular symbolism or reference for hyotan and what appears to be a noh mask, but hyotan is near and dear to me and I use a pic of this vase as the image for my home page. I love that it has a "stopper," as part of its detail. I don't see any casting lines, but it is the only object of its kind that I have had the opportunity to examine. Edited January 22 by Iaido dude Quote
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