Kozuka & Kogai (Futatokoro-mono): Insects
Signature/mei: Kazutsura
Material: base material shakudo, silver iroe nanako, gold
Era/jidai: late Edo period
Dimensions Kozuka: 96.8mm x 14.7mm x 5.0mm
Dimensions Kogai: 212.0mm x 12.3mm x 4.5mm
Papers: NBTHK Hozon
Price: not available
Kazutsura worked in Kyoto and died in 1814 at age 41. Therefore his works are rare and not often to find. He was a member of the Ozaki family and became a student of Uesugi Mitsunori. As he became an adopted son-in-law he took the family name “Uesugi”. His earlier works are signed “Ikkan” with two Kanji, later he signed “Kazutsura” with three Kanji.
In some literature it’s mentioned that Kazutsura went from Kyoto to Edo and entered the famous Ishiguro school. Later he returned to Kyoto and started his own shop. His famous pupil was Aritsune.
He worked mostly in iron and it is said, that among the Kyoto Kinko school his skill is considered only second to Tetsugendo Shoraku. But he worked also in shibuichi, suaka and gold. Nanako is not often found on his works.
This kozuka and kogai with the design of five insects form a daisho. That there is no moon or autumnal plants shown is a very spacial and distinctive feature of this set: No autumnal scene is shown, just a pure study and observation of insects. As the composition consists of various metals and also include nanako, it makes it an extremely rare set as there are not many works of him existing at all. As it is signed with three Kanji “Kazutsura”, this is a later work of him.
Currently the set is papered hozon by the NBTHK, but it will be a strong contestant for a juyo shinsa in the upcoming years.
