Iris Kozuka (Goto)

Edo period (1615-1868) 

Attributed to Goto Enjo (1721-1784), inscribed Enjo 延乗
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The shakudo kozuka worked in gold, silver, and shakudo takazogan, depicting an iris flower and bud borne on a long leafy stem, all against a nanako ground, within a raised border. Inscribed in red paint ENJO to the textured reverse.

LENGTH 9.6 cm
WEIGHT 31.2 g

Condition: Excellent condition with only minor surface wear.
Provenance: From an Australian private collection of sword fittings, collected over centuries with a discerning eye for quality and comprising mostly exceptionally fine kozuka from the noted Hamano and Goto schools.

Goto Enjo (1721-1784) is listed in the Haynes Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists on p. 122 (H 00473.0). He was born and lived in Edo, as the first son of Goto Jujo (H 02264) and the thirteenth master of the mainline Goto family school. He gained the family title at the age of 42, when his elder brother Kanjo (H 02636) became ill.