Meiji period (late 19th century), signed Nipponkoku Kyoto ju Komai sei

Details

An inlaid iron jar and cover
Meiji period (late 19th century), signed Nipponkoku Kyoto ju Komai sei
Of globular form on tripod feet, inlaid in gold, silver, shibuichi, shakudo and copper nunomezogan and takazogan with three roundels depicting the scenes from the Taiheiki [Chronicle of the Great Peace], each panel encircled by a band of hanabishi, all against a ground with ho-o birds and scrolling floral foliage, the base and feet with stylized flowerheads and scrolling foliage, the cover with two dragons amongst clouds, the finial with butterflies and chrysanthemums; signature on base
14 in. (35.7 cm.) high

Brought to you by

Takaaki Murakami

tmurakami@christies.com +1 212 636 2158

Lot Essay

These scenes are recorded in the Taiheiki [Chronicle of the Great Peace] (1372) telling of the Nanbokucho Senso [Wars of the Southern and Northern Courts] (1334-1396) following attacks on the samurai government in 1333 by the forces of the Emperor Godaigo (1288 -1339) in order to restore Imperial rule in place of the Bakufu. Kusunoki Masashige and Masatsura were the supporters of the Southern Imperial Court and fought to gain power for the Emperor. After a number of changes of fortune, the Shogun’s Northern Court under the leadership of Ashikaga Takauji eventually drove the Emperor Godaigo into exile at Yoshino to establish a government by the samurai class with a cadet branch Emperor seated in the North of Kyoto. The situation persisted through the 14th century and up to 1868, when Imperial rule was restored.

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