Shakudo nanako kozuka decorated with crows and herons. With NBTHK Hozon Tosogu, attributed to Kaga Goto School.
This kozuka is decorated with crows and herons. To be precise NBTHK describe the motive as "Uro" which means crows and herons or black and white. It is written the same way as board game Go, played with black and white stones.
In Japan crow is a symbol of rebirth and rejuvenation, while heron is symbol of good luck. Therefore this kozuka might mean good luck on the new path of life?
Two of the most legendary castles in Japan have those birds in their names. Himeji castle is called white heron, while Matsumoto is called a Crow Castle.
Kozuka made of shakudo with nanako ground. It looks like herons are made of inlaid solid silver, with inlaid shakudo eyes and gold iroe beaks and legs. On the other hand shakudo crows have eyes made of inlaid silver.
Made in Edo period.
Size: 98 mm x 15 mm x 7 mm