Title: Aoi Mon Tessen Karakusa Zu
Description
This item is a type of brazier. As you know, a brazier is a tool used for heating or simple cooking by burning charcoal on the ash. In Japan, there are several types of braziers categorized based on size. For example, Daimyo Hibachi (大名火鉢) is a large brazier, and the Teaburi (手あぶり) is a small size one. And this brazier is categorized as the Daimyo Hibachi. The brazier was once used by higher-class Samurai families and court nobles. And it became popular among the general public from the Edo period to the Meiji period. Eventually, gorgeous braziers decorated with metal engraving or brilliant coloring were produced. We guess this brazier was also made in such a trend by seeing its decorativeness.
This brazier is decorated with the Makie (蒔絵) technique. The Makie is a typical Japanese lacquer art technique developed uniquely in Japan for about 1,200 years. Firstly, it needs to draw a picture with lacquer on the surface with a thin brush. Next, sprinkle the gold powder from above to show the pattern before the lacquer hardens. This technique gives a gorgeous and elegant look to the work.
Regarding the design, this brazier is decorated with auspicious designs. The Tessen (鉄線/鉄扇, clematis) pattern is depicted on the entire of this brazier. Tessenka has six petals, and it was brought from China. This flower’s petals spread out like a windmill and have stiff vines. According to a theory, the Japanese name for this flower, Tessen, was derived from the fact that the hard vines remind us of iron wires (鉄線 means iron wire in the Japanese dictionary sense). This flower was appreciated as a flower to decorate tea parties, and people favored its graceful appearance. There are also various Tessen flower-designed family crests. It was also used in the design of bridal gowns and visiting clothes in hopes of connecting or bonding with others.
Also, a family crest called the Aoi-Domoe/Mitsuba-Aoi-no Mon (葵巴/三つ葉葵の紋) is depicted on the edge and legs of this brazier. The Aoi (葵, asarum caulescens) pattern is a design in which each stem branches and has characteristic heart-shaped leaves. Today, it is known as the family crest of the Tokugawa Shogunate family led by Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川 家康, 1543-1616), a famous military commander of the Warring States period. This plant pattern has also been used for the crest of the Kamo shrine in Kyoto prefecture. As mentioned above, the famous Shogunate family, the Tokugawa family, had their family crest with three leaves of Aoi due to their relationship with the Kamo shrine. As its leaves have a habit of always facing the sun, and the word “Aoi” is taken as “Aogu (仰ぐ, looking up)” for the sun, people thought the Aoi pattern would bring good fortune.
If you look at the metal plates applied in various places on this brazier closely, you would find they are decorated with the Karakusa (唐草, arabesque) pattern. It is a pattern in which stems and leaves of vines are twined and make curves. Since ivy has a strong vitality and grows up without interruption, people regarded this design as a symbol of prosperity and longevity. Vine is called Tsuru (蔓) in Japanese, and it has another pronunciation; “Man.” There is a word 万 (it is also read Man), which means ten thousand. In the Karakusa pattern, leaves and vines are connected like Obi (帯, belt). The word “帯” can also be read “Tai.” Due to its pronunciation, the term “代 (Tai)” is associated. From this word-association game, an idiom 万代 is associated, and it means a thousand generations. In other words, we could imagine that people used this design wishing prosperity and longevity for their clans for a long time.
In addition, the surfaces of these metal plates are decorated with the Nanako-Ji (魚子地) technique. This process makes a uniform minimal protrusions pattern by hitting the Nanako-Ji Tagane (魚子地鏨, a chisel for this technique) on a metal surface. This decorative technique is often seen on sword mountings as well.
On the top of the brazier lid called the Amihoya (網火屋/網火舎), there is a bird-shaped motif. It seems to be the Tsuru (鶴, crane). The pattern that describes flying cranes is called “Tobi Tsuru Mon (飛鶴文)” in Japanese. There is a proverb that says cranes and turtles live a long life. It says cranes have even one thousand years lifespan; therefore, cranes and turtles have been considered as the symbol of longevity since a long time ago. Also, as cranes make compatible couples, its pattern represents happy marriage. Due to its pure white feathers and dignified appearance, it was favorably used as a good omen design for various ornaments or furnishings such as Kimono (着物, traditional Japanese costume) or Obi (帯, belt for Kimono). Senbazuru (千羽鶴, thousand cranes) is one of Japan’s most popular Origami craft, which is made of Origami paper. A thousand cranes of paper are jointed, and it is mainly used for wishes of recovering.
We hope this elegant work will be a part of your great collection. Also, it is a good idea to present it as a gift.
*As this item is an antique, please check each photo and ensure its condition.
【About us】
Samurai Museum is located in Tokyo, Japan, exhibiting antique artifacts related to the Samurai history. Samurai Museum Shop is the place for those who are interested in Japanese culture and craftsmanship. We deal with antique Samurai swords/armor, traditional crafts made in Japan and so on.
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【Shipping duration】
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【Antique Japanese item and Export process】
After receiving the full payment from you, we will apply for its export permit from the Board of Education to legally export the item to other countries. It normally takes around 2 to 4 weeks to receive this permit. And we would like you to expect at least 1.0 – 1.5 months for your order to arrive at your given address after you ordered.
【How to make sure the condition】
Please keep in mind that what you are going to purchase is an antique item. We uploaded high resolution photos for you to check its condition thoroughly. If you like to see more photos with different angles, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to send them to you so that you can make informed decision.
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