Our Featured work of art for January, this wonderful Iron and Gold Kodansu in the form of a Pagoda by the Komai Company

 

 

Our featured work of art for the month of January is this majestic, late Meiji-era, Iron and Gold Kodansu in the form of a Shrine from the renowned Komai Company of Kyoto.

 

 

 

We think that this beautiful Kodansu is a treasure on many different levels. (Pun intended.) The four-sided upper roof the Pagoda with powerful imagery of Ho Ho Birds (Phoenix) and lower down, four water Dragons are depicted.

 

 

Dragons are hugely significant across Asia. In Japan they are known as “Ryu” or “Tatsu”. Like all Asian dragons, Japanese dragons lack wings and are serpent-like in form. Japanese dragons rarely fly and usually reside in or near the sea and other large bodies of water. Unlike their perception in the West, dragons have positive symbolism in Japan. They are seen as good and represent wisdom and generosity.

 

 

The Phoenix is another powerful symbol in Japan where it represents loyalty and honesty. It is said that a Phoenix will only live in a land where the Ruler is without corruption , (unfortunately, that also sounds like the stuff of mythology.) A large pair of Phoenix are depicted in the Okimono group shown below.

 

 

The lower sections of the building have an attractive floral and foliate decoration. Doors open to reveal four miniature drawers. Further symbolism is found here with Butterflies representing good fortune, health and prosperity, Cranes symbolising strength and longevity and the Iris, an indicator for courage and good news.

 

 

The sword-shaped leaves of the Iris made it a popular emblem amongst the Samurai and for many centuries, it has been a popular gift offered to individuals facing challenges or starting new ventures. A flowering Iris is depicted on the Bronze and multi-metal vase shown below.

 

 

This type of Pagoda is called a “Tahōtō”. Pagodas of this design don’t appear in China or Korea and it is thought that they originated in Japan during the Heian Period (794 to 1185.) Tahōtō were originally constructed from wood and were unique in having two stories.

 

 

The lower level of square form with a circular core and then on the upper storey a smaller circular space. Despite appearing to have two storeys, only the lower level was accessible and functional. The circular space visible on the upper floor is actually the core that comes up from ground level and supports the entire structure.

 

 

The long “ariel” shaft that sits on top of the Pagoda is called a “Sōrin” and translates as “alternate rings”. Traditionally, the purpose of the Sōrin was to remind the viewer to look up and into Space and beyond into the Cosmos. They are known to represent the natural elements of Fire, Earth and Wind. More practically they can provide weight and balance to protect the structural integrity of the roof and can also, quite handily, double as a lightening conductor.

 

 

The Komai Company and Nunome Zogan

Famed for their mastery of the Zogan (Damascene) technique, the Komai family produced some of the most recognisable and breath-taking metalwork pieces of the Meiji Period, (1868-1912.)

Like many of the metalworking dynasties, prior to the Meiji Restoration, the Komai family were originally known for producing Sword fittings and armoury. The company was formed in 1841 when Komai Seibei opened his first workshop in Kyoto. He was successful but demand for his work increased massively when he revived and then pioneered an ancient form of damascene known as Nunome Zogan.

 

 

Zogan is a beautiful and complex traditional Japanese craft which dates back to the Asuka Period, (794-1185). Sadly very few early examples from that time remain.

Put simply, Zogan involves preparing a base material by using a fine chisel to create patterns. Different coloured metal wires would then be inlaid into the base metal (normally Iron) to create stunning designs and images.

 

 

The Komai Company expanded with Komai Seibei’s youngest son joining the business aged just 13 in 1855 and then with the opening of a workshop in Kobe. Now days, the Komai Company is celebrated around the world for producing some of the finest and instantly recognisable metalworks of the Meiji-era.

The signature on the bottom of this Kodansu, (with its Iconic Dragonfly motif), suggests that this piece dates to the end of the Meiji-era, around 1910 to 1915.

 

 

You can see a small selection of Komai Company and “Komai-style” pieces from our collection of Japanese Metalworks by Clicking Here or on the image below.

 

 

We hope you enjoyed this article. You can enjoy over 100 blogs and stories inspired by our collection of Chinese and Japanese Fine Art and Antiques by Clicking Here.