木賊兎図大小揃物 Fittings for a Pair of Swords (Daishō Soroi-Mono)
One of Ishiguro Masayoshi’s (石黒政美, 1774–1862) masterpieces, this is a rare complete set of fittings for a pair of swords (daishō), comprising sword guards (tsuba), knife handles (kozuka), hilt ornaments (menuki), pommels (kashira), and hilt collars (fuchi).The decoration features rabbits and the horsetail plant, a traditional combination. In Asian folklore, the dark markings on the near side of the moon are interpreted as a rabbit that makes the moon shine brightly by polishing it with horsetail. Masayoshi was one of the most renowned artists of the Ishiguro School, and his luxurious interpretations contributed greatly to the school’s success.
Artwork Details
- Title: 木賊兎図大小揃物 Fittings for a Pair of Swords (Daishō Soroi-Mono)
- Fittings maker: Inscribed by 石黒政美 Ishiguro Masayoshi (Japanese, 1774–1862)
- Date: 19th century
- Culture: Japanese
- Medium: Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, silver, copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), copper
- Dimensions: Sword guards (Tsuba) (a, b); H. of each 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm); W. of each 2 11/16 in. (6.8 cm); thickness of each 3/8 in. (0.5 cm); Wt. of each 5.2 oz. (147.4 g); knife handles (Kozuka) (c, d); 3 7/8 x 9/16 in. (9.8 x 1.4 cm); sword-hilt collar (fuchi) (e); 1 1/2 x 13/16 in. (3.8 x 2.1 cm); pommel (kashira) (f); 1 3/8 x 11/16 in. (3.5 x 1.7 cm); sword-hilt collar (fuchi) (g); 1 1/2 x 7/8 in. (3.8 x 2.2 cm); pommel (kashira) (h); 1 3/8 x 3/4 in. (3.5 x 1.9 cm); each of a pair of menuki (i, j); 1 1/16 x 5/8 in. (2.7 x 1.6 cm); each of a pair of menuki (k, l); 1 x 9/16 in. (2.5 x 1.4 cm)
- Classifications: Sword Furniture-Fittings, Sets of
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1948
- Object Number: 48.63.5a–l
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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Omori Hidenaga
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Ishiguro Masayoshi
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