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MENUKI M-1 GOTO EIJO (1577-1617) SIXTH GENERATION MAINLINE GOTO MASTER These menuki were one of those dream finds. While shopping in a small shop which specialized in Japanese pottery, I happened to ask the proprietor if there might be any swords or fittings for sale. I was told that there was nothing like that in the store. On my way out I happened to spot a Koshirae laying on the bottom shelf of an out of the way cabinet. As I zeroed in for a closer inspection of the Koshirae, much to my surprise sitting in the back of the shelf completely out of sight were these menuki. One look told me they were "good", but I was not sure how good. With a little research they only got better, and then a trip to shinsa for confirmation and viola, they were indeed a mainline Goto Masters work. These menuki were given a Tokubetsu Hozon rating their first time to shinsa. I hope to see them obtain a Juyo ranking at some point. The Goto Line of metal engravers needs no introduction. In fact the first Goto master, Goto Yujo is considered to be the founder of metal engraving. While there were engravers prior to Yujo, he was extraordinarily talented and not only refined but standardized the engraving methods. The mainline descendants of Yujo or Goto Honke (main family) continued for seventeen generations over a period of some 400 years. As the Goto family became larger they also divided over time into sixteen branches of the family. These families or schools are referred to as Waki Goto or off-shoots.
$4500 USD SOLD
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