Ranzan Tsuneyuki

Edo Period 19th century

1615-1868

Fuchi & Kashira

A finely worked fuchi & kashira in brown shibuichi highlighted with copper, silver, gold and shakudo inlay.  The fuchi displays a hill lined landscape with grass blowing in the wind whereupon a single firefly holds on. The kashira depicts a black ox being driven by Jurojin not to be confused with (fukurokuju) holding an umbrella and blossom branch in the ox harness.

The fuchi has the characters Ōju (應需) meaning “by order” along with the makers’ name Ranzan Tsuneyuki. A book of designs by Ranzan Tsuneyuki is held in the Metropolitan Museum of New York whereupon the design can be found for the lone firefly on grass stems, the design is shown on tsubas and kozuka though not on a fuchi itself but is no mistakably the same design.

The specific kashira design is not found in the book but a total of 35 examples of Jurojin are to be found making it one of the most referenced subjects by Tsuneyuki and must have some important meaning to him. Jurojin is often depicted on the back of a stag and sometimes an ox holding a peach blossom branch walking stick. It is understood the origin of Jurojin comes from the Taoist sage Lao-tsu who is often depicted riding an ox.

Fuchi 37mm x 20mm

Kashira 34mm x 15mm

Signed Oju Ranzan Tsuneyuki