HOYUSAI NAOTSUNE: A MASTERFUL GOTO SCHOOL KOZUKA WITH TIGER AND BAMBOO

HOYUSAI NAOTSUNE: A MASTERFUL GOTO SCHOOL KOZUKA WITH TIGER AND BAMBOO
By Hoyusai Naotsune, signed Hoyusai Naotsune and kao
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The kozuka with a masterful shakudo nanakoji ground and inlaid in solid gold with a magnificent tiger amongst bamboo (take ni tora), the stalks crafted from shakudo. Signed to the reverse HOYUSAI NAOTSUNE and kao. The imagery is symbolic for resilience and strength.

LENGTH 9.7 cm
WEIGHT 26 g

Condition: Superb condition.
Provenance: British collection, acquired from Sotheby’s, Japanese and Korean Works of Art, 14 July 2005, London, lot 919 (part lot, purchased for 5,040 GBP).

The motif take no tora (tiger in bamboo) is a symbol for strength and resilience, embodying the spirit of the samurai warrior. The tiger has a strong nature, is flexible and resilient like the bamboo, but it is also said that the strong tiger is looking for shelter underneath the bamboo, as any earthly power is inferior to the forces of nature. Moreover, the tiger and bamboo represent the power of faith in Buddhism.