Type: Fuchi Material: Shakudō with gilt highlights Period: Edo (17th–19th century) Mass: 17.9 g Internal Dims (mm): 34Lx18.4Wx10.6D
This fuchi features a finely rendered persimmon fruit (kaki) in relief. The persimmon, often associated with autumn, symbolizes transformation, ripeness, and wisdom. The addition of gold detailing lends contrast and highlights the fullness of the fruit, balancing austerity with elegance.
Interestingly, the fire gilding appears to have been applied very unusually to convey shape, using the gold to highlight the shape of the persimmon, as it doesn't look like normal wear. Similarly unusually, one of the leaves appears to have never had gold on it at all, leaving one leaf bright gold and one dark black. The fruit is rendered over a lovely hammered stone ishime texture. A very interesting piece.
Fruit motifs were popular in Edo period sword fittings, especially among artisans influenced by the Mito and Shoami schools. These schools often embraced naturalistic subjects, using contrasts of shakudō, copper, and gold to capture the vibrancy of plants and seasonal themes. Persimmons were not only a seasonal symbol but also a subtle emblem of perseverance, reflecting the philosophical undercurrents of samurai culture.
