Before I get to the specific description of style, measurements, etc. of this lovely kozuka, I would like to spend a few minutes talking about its important theme. The following dissertation was written by a friend of mine, Mr. Taum Dell’Armo who has made an extensive study of Buddhist symbols and their meanings, he writes:
Whether you call them Lion Dogs, Shishi, Foo Dogs or any of their numerous names, these mystical animals are among the most complex of all symbols for many Asian cultures. There are over a dozen countries that have these as part of their legends, myths, and spiritual beliefs.
Their origins go way back, even rooted in pre-historic periods, but the Foo Dogs of Japan can be found as an original inception in ancient India. Hindu, then later Buddhist, temples were guarded by stone carvings of a pair of these fierce looking creatures. The idea was to have one representing the physical and one the spiritual.
The shishi with open mouth – like the one engraved on this kozuka – is the high spiritual lion. The open mouth is thought to be uttering the first part of the AUM sound which is the “sound of Brahma,” the actual sound of the universe. A shishi with a closed mouth is completing the Aum sound by making the “Mmm” sound, bringing us back to the physical. It is the root sound of all sounds.
When you view this kozuka the message is illustrated. The sound is interpreted by the artist (or transformed) by using another symbol, smoke or, in this case, the incense being burned in the belly (navel), the center of our being.
As the smoke rises it comes to a point of diversion from its ascent. It circles and then returns to rise to heaven. All of this is spiritual in meaning.
The description above is beautifully portrayed in this kozuka created by one of the Kaga kinko artists of the Edo era. This type of inlay is called zôgan as delineated in the NBTHK Hozon papers that accompany this piece. The body of the kozuka is done in shakudo while the shishi and pedestal are done in gold zôgan inlay, one of the styles made famous by the Kaga kinko artists. The smoke rising from the mouth of the shishi is done in shibuichi. It is a very striking piece.
The length of the kozuka is 3.875 inches long or 9.8 cm. The width is 0.54 inches or 1.4 cm. As noted, it comes with a NBTHK Hozon kodogu certification. It is encased in a custom made wooden box. This kozuka would make a wonderful addition to any collection.
PRICE: $950.00
