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Item No. KOZ-2958 東益常(花押)
Design Kusudama
Mei Azuma Masutsune(with Kao)
Material Shakudo with gold and silver inaly
Region Musashi, Edo
Era Late Edo period
Box Custom made paulownia box
Size
Length
9.7 cm (3.82 in)
Width
1.48 cm (0.58 in)
NBTHK Certification
Status Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu
Certification Date April 1, 2025
Price 300,000 JPY Buy Now
Other Info
Today, kusudama is decoration used to mark the opening of auspicious events, but originally it was used at the Imperial Court on Mayh 5th to ward off evil spirits and pray for longevity. Kusudama was filled with fragrant medicinal herbs such as musk, cloves, and agarwood in a single bag. The bag of medicine ball was tied with Japanese mugwort and irises, and further decorated with artificial flowers and five-colored threads to add beauty. The metal craftsman, Azuma Masutsune[東益常], was a student of Goto Mitsuyoshi[後藤光美] (the 15th head of the Goto family). He was born in Kyoto and lived in Edo. This work is a refined, elegant, and noble kusudama design in the Goto style. This kozuka passed the Hozon Tosogu shinsa in 2014 and has upgraded to pass the Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu shinsa in February 2025.