Kozuka: Ikebana scissors
Signature/mei: Mitsusuke (Goto Kanjo)
Material: shakudo with very fine nanako, scissors in shakudo, iroe in copper silver and gold
Era/jidai: middle Edo period
Dimension: 9.9 cm x 1.5 cm
Custom kiri box with cushion
Price: €1500 / $1700
This very fine kozuka was made by Goto Kanjo, the eldest son of Goto Mitsumasa (Jujo) the 12th generation Goto mainline.
Kanjo was also called Tadakichi and later Sadakichi, lived in Edo and died on the 7th February 1798.
Ikebana scissors is a rarely seen design on tosogu in general, but for Goto even more as it’s far from typical Goto designs. Even if the design isn’t typical for Goto, the kozuka has a strict Goto feeling which might be due to the superb nanako which covers the whole kozuka (only the backside has no nanako). The accurate placed scissors is perfectly aligned with the edge of the kozuka, which also gives the impression of a strict formal Goto design. The scissors and the aster branch rise high above the base plate and are of outstanding quality. Some water drops are inlaid in gold and silver.
All in all this is a very rare kozuka and well suited for an ikebana artist or enthusiast.
