Shakudo fuchikashira decorated with Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Tengu at Mt. Kurama. This mystical place located North of Kyoto is associated with many deity, magical beings and holy spirits. This fuchikashira depicts Minamoto no Yoshitsune during training with Tengu. When he was 10, Yoshitsune was placed under care of the monks of Kurama temple. According to stories he did not learn his craft form monks but from magical beings, called Tengu. They taught him swordsmanship, tactics and magic. Some ninja schools also claim to learn their secrets straight from Tengu.
This fuchikashira is signed "Goto Mitsushige". Unfortunately I am not sure who that was. This is not a signature or Kao of the 8th Generation mainline Goto School master Goto Sokujo (Mitsushige). I have found an information online that "As per Robert Haynes, this is Goto Seijo (Mitsunaga), first generation of this line". Which suggests that at some point Goto Seijo signed his works "Goto Mitsushige". Unfortunately I am not able to verify this information. Therefore at this point I have to consider that maker of this piece is unknown.
Made of shakudo with nanako ground. Decorated with silver and gold inlay and gold iroe.
Shitodome ana was damaged and has been repaired. Please sea the pictures.
Made in Edo period.
Size:
Fuchi: 38 mm x 21 mm x 8 mm
Kashira: 36 mm x 16 mm x 8 mm
