Lot Essay
The dates of Murakami Jochiku's birth and death are not known but he was active from the Meiwa-Anei period (1764-1781) to the Temmei-Kansei period (1781-1801). He had many students including Jochiku II, Jochu, Joryu Joran and Johaku. Judging by his existing work, he seemed to have lived to about the age of 65.
Early documents tell that he enjoyed playing musical instruments as a hobby. This was a popular pastime among his contemporaries; other master metalworkers.
Jochiku's shakudo and copper used a different colour and texture from that applied in other traditions. His shakudo colour is described as "the wet wing of the crow" and has a slightly reddish tinge as does his copper. To introduce these unusual colours on sword furniture at that time, required no little spirit and fortitude. It is this that is largely responsible for his reputation, earning him great merit.
Jochiku often depicted nature; insects, fish, shellfish and animals. His designs and techniques were carefully handed down to his deshi. Toso Kodogu Koza states "Observing Jochiku's work, we can justly envy the lives of the people of the Edo period when they were so close to nature. Some needed only to open a window to fish in the Akawa River, or listen to the cicada and see dragonflies in the mountains beneath a blue sky. A total change from these days with people suffering from pollution."
Early documents tell that he enjoyed playing musical instruments as a hobby. This was a popular pastime among his contemporaries; other master metalworkers.
Jochiku's shakudo and copper used a different colour and texture from that applied in other traditions. His shakudo colour is described as "the wet wing of the crow" and has a slightly reddish tinge as does his copper. To introduce these unusual colours on sword furniture at that time, required no little spirit and fortitude. It is this that is largely responsible for his reputation, earning him great merit.
Jochiku often depicted nature; insects, fish, shellfish and animals. His designs and techniques were carefully handed down to his deshi. Toso Kodogu Koza states "Observing Jochiku's work, we can justly envy the lives of the people of the Edo period when they were so close to nature. Some needed only to open a window to fish in the Akawa River, or listen to the cicada and see dragonflies in the mountains beneath a blue sky. A total change from these days with people suffering from pollution."