Until 1st May, 2026
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TOMOKATSU AND SHOSHINSAI: A RARE MINIATURE 'THE JEWELED RIVERS' INDOOR ARCHERY SET
Lot 149 - JPN1225
By Tomokatsu (arrow) and Shoshinsai (bow), signed Tomokatsu and Shoshinsai
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
The box contains eight wooden arrows with bone tips, adorned with gold lacquer bands and fine green thread bindings or black lacquer securing three feathers, one dyed purple and the others white. Each arrow is signed TOMOKATSU. The accompanying three-part wooden bow (koyumi) features silver fittings and a wooden grip decorated with a finely detailed dragon amid curling clouds, the ends finished with silver mounts. Signed SHOSHINSAI.
Inscription: To the tomobako
LENGTH 28.5 cm (arrows), 92 cm (bow)
Condition: In good overall condition with minor wear consistent with age and use. Some flaking to the lacquer, light tarnishing to the silver, and a few loose feathers. One end of the bow shows a repaired section.
With a wood tomobako (storage box) decorated with bush clover (hagi) and inscribed Tamagawa 玉河 [The Jeweled Rivers]. Each part of the koyumi with a silk cover.
Mu-Tamagawa (The Six Jeweled Rivers) poetically references the six famous rivers named Tamagawa that appear in classical Japanese poetry, each celebrated for its beauty and the seasonal imagery it evokes. These rivers, scattered across the provinces of Japan, were beloved subjects in waka poetry and painting, symbolizing the purity of flowing water, the passage of time, and the refinement of nature’s transient beauty.
The present archery set, with its exquisitely lacquered arrows and bow, thus embodies a poetic allusion rather than a martial purpose. It was not intended for practical use but as a ceremonial or decorative display object.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related archery set of closely related size but with twelve arrows at Zacke, Fine Japanese and Netsuke Art, 22 June 2019, Vienna, lot 54 (sold for EUR 5,491).
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