The Kura - Japanese Art Treasures

Robert Mangold has been working with Japanese antiques since 1995 with an emphasis on ceramics, Paintings, Armour and Buddhist furniture.
Amazing Antique Japanese Lacquer Knife Shaped Yatate Brush Case

Amazing Antique Japanese Lacquer Knife Shaped Yatate Brush Case


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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Lacquer: Pre 1900: Item # 1483683

Please refer to our stock # MOR7981 when inquiring.
The Kura
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817-2 Kannonji Monzen-cho
Kamigyo-ku Kyoto 602-8385
tel.81-75-201-3497
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 $3,800.00 
An incredible play on the old adage, the pen is mightier than the sword, here is a phenomenal 19th century yatate brush case in the shape of a tanto knife with lavish maki-e designs in gold with mother of pearl blossoms and featuring a silver “Koszuka” insert on the side decorated with butterflies where it is likely an ink-soaked cotton tab or slab of red stamp ink would have been stored. It comes enclosed in a custom made and silk lined kiri-wood box. The piece is 24 cm (9-1/2 inches) long and in excellent condition.
During the Kamakura era (1185–1333), the idea of ink-saturated cotton was developed. By touching a calligraphy brush to the cotton, one could ink the bristles with reduced risk of dripping or spilling ink. By enclosing the cotton in a small lidded box, the writing set was made convenient and portable.