Sword guard, iron Ko-Kinko rat design, Japan, 2022
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
2022
Guerriers et esthètes, Bibliothèque Nationale et Universitaire, Strasbourg, 11 March-13 July 2022, p. 123, no. 104. Of kawarigata form, with one kogai hitsu ana, the nakago ana with copper sekigane, modeled in the form of a coiled rat holding its long tail, the eyes in shakudo takazogan, and the fur neatly incised. HEIGHT 7 cm, LENGTH 6.8 cm WEIGHT 111.1 g Provenance: Ex-collection Patrick Liebermann.
In Japan, the rat (nezumi) symbolizes prosperity, fertility, wealth, resourcefulness, and adaptability. It is the first sign of the Japanese zodiac, representing beginnings, and is a companion and messenger to Daikoku, the god of wealth. The rat's ability to thrive even in difficult times makes it a symbol of good fortune and abundant harvests. Museum comparison: Compare a closely related shibuichi tsuba of a coiled rat, unsigned, mid-19th century, 6.7 cm tall, in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession number 11.12129.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions or weight (listing wording)
- HEIGHT 7 cm; LENGTH 6.8 cm; WEIGHT 111.1 g; 6.7 cm; 8.3 cm
Identification
- Source note
- Auction-house description published on Invaluable; the text keeps only the listing's object facts (condition, price and sale wording removed). Attribution and measurements describe the photographed example; independent type authentication remains research required.
- Candidate id
- inv-200793145
- Auction house
- Galerie Zacke
- Listing object ID
- 200793145
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.