Anonymous

Edo Period 18th/19th century

1615-1868

Kozuka

An iron kozuka with copper silver and gilt kinko inlays. Details hand chiselled depicting a closeup landscape with rocks and leaves in metal inlay and a central gilt Suzumushi (bell cricket).

The cricket has been traditionally kept as pets in japan and china, housed in beautifully decorated cages and carried by their owners. The Suzumushi is well known for its singing and the love of crickets can be found in the many poems written by Japanese poets. One of the great forefathers of haiku Kobayashi Issa (1762-1826) wrote: -

Autumn cicada-

flat on his back,

chirps his last song.

Grasshopper’s song in

moonlight – someone’s

survived the flood.

At the altar

in the chief place,

cries a cricket.

-Issa (Translated by L. Stryk)

Unsigned

96mm x 14mm