A JAPANESE INLAID IRON BOX AND COVER, KOBAKO

MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY

The hexagonal iron body inlaid with a depiction of a small child, karako, holding a small spin wheel, kazaguruma, and climbing upon Hotei's shoulders, the God of Good Fortune leaning over his bottomless bag of treasures and pointing at an uchiwa fan before them, with details in gold, shibuichi, and silver takazogan, the lid signed Harutoshi with two gold seals, one for Chosai, 5.1cm x 11.5cm x 10.2cm. (2)

The signature may be for Uchino Harutoshi (who also used the name Ichigenshi), a sworsmith and pupil of the Hirata Family, renowned for their highly decorative hand guards. A tsuba by Harutoshi decorated with implements for the tea ceremony is recorded in the collection of Michael Tomkinson (1841-1921).