Kikuchi Tsunekatsu Kozuka
菊池序克 明和五年戊子
Shodai - Master of the Kikuchi School
Dated 1768
Published in "Zusetsu Toso Kinko Meishu Roku"
by Wakayama, Masumoto, and Sato 1970
Published in "Kokusai Tosogu Kai" Vol 13, 2017
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon
日本美術刀剣保存協会 特別保存刀装具
Dimensions;91.0mm (l),9.5mm (w), 5.0mm (t)
小柄
銘、明和五年戊子 菊池序克 （花押）
六歌仙図
四分一地
江戸時代中期（1768）
Kozuka
Signed; Meiwa Gonen Tsuchinoe-ne, Kikuchi Tsunekatsu (kao)
(1st generation)
Rokkasen (six poetry immortals) motif
Shibuichi-ji
Circa; Mid Edo period (1768)
Wakayama Ranking 優工 Yuko 3rd Level pg. 284
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon
Tsunekatsu was the founder of the Kikuchi School. He was born in 1704 and called Seijiro. His latest work with a statement of age records him as 64 years old in 1768. This kozuka was also made in 1768 and is probably one of the last works of his lifetime. Tsunekatsu was a student of Inagawa Naokatsu (稲川直克). He received the character for "克" from Naokatsu. He is recorded in the book, Soken Kisho (Handbook to various famous arts), 1781 vol 3 p 32 by Inaba Michitatsu. This would indicate a high regard for his work even in his own lifetime. There are works by Tsunekatsu in shakudo with nanako ground which reflect his Inagawa background but his strong point was katakiribori like that seen in this example.
The theme of this kozuka is the Rokkasen or "six poetry immortals". These are six Japanese poets of the mid-9th century who were named in the introduction of the poetry anthology, Kokin Wakashu (c. 905), as notable poets of the generation. The skill of this katakiribori rendering is without peer for its amazing detail and composition. The different patterns on the clothing, facial hair, pupils of the eyes and life-like facial expressions show Tsunekatsu's skill clearly. As a signed and dated work by the founder of the Kikuchi School, this is a kozuka with high empirical vale, in fine condition and of excellent quality.
This kozuka was published by Wakayama, Masumoto and Sato in the book "Zusetsu Toso Kinko Meishu Roku" in 1970. It was also published in Vol 13 of the Kokusai Tosogu Kai in 2017. (books not included) It is accompanied by a custom fitted kiri-bako and a NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper. A top level work by Kikuchi Tsunekatsu, signed, dated and in outstanding condition.
$6500
