Our item of the month for October: A musical Meiji Master-piece

 

Our featured item for the month of October is this fascinating pair of Japanese, late 19th Century Bronze incense burners signed Ohashi San’emon.

 

 

A celebration of Japanese musical instruments of the time, these Koro are in the form of “Sho”, (an instrument similar in appearance to the Pan Pipes). Numerous other traditional court music instruments are also depicted on the body of the Koros.

In this article, we take a closer look at some of the instruments featured in this magical, musical Meiji-era work of art. As always, you can click on any of the images to take a closer look.

 

 

Sho:

The Sho is a Japanese reed-based instrument that has its origins in China. It consists of seventeen Bamboo pipes, two of which are non-functioning and purely there for aesthetic purpose in order to mimic the wings of a Phoenix. It was said that the sound of the Sho was similar to the call of the mythical bird. A complex instrument to use, the musician would need to slowly warm the instrument over a small brazier/heater in order to remove moisture from the pipes in order for it to sound.

 

 

An iconic instrument in the history of Japan, it is one of three primary woodwind instruments used in traditional court music.

 

Biwa:

The Biwa is a short-necked stringed instrument, similar to the Western Lute. It was used in Gagaku music and often as an accompaniment for communal story-telling.

 

 

 

Gagaku is the oldest form of Orchestral music still performed anywhere in the World. It was adopted by the Japanese around the 8th Century and is comprised of music and dance from around the Far-East.

Biwa were often played using “Bachi” (a Japanese form of straight drumsticks) and the Deity “Benten” (one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Fortune) is often depicted playing one.

 

The other Six Gods of Fortune look on in wonder as Benten plays a song on her Biwa.

 

Ryuteki:

The Ryuteki is a traditional Japanese flute made of Bamboo.

 

 

It is one of three flutes used in traditional Gagaku music and it was said that the sound it emitted represented Dragons ascending the skies between heavenly lights.

 

Fujiwara no Yasumasa, a famous musician, plays his flute.

 

Tsuzumi:

This is an hourglass-shaped hand drum with two drum heads and cords that can be tightened or relaxed in order to change the tension of the drum skins.

 

 

 

This technique allows the drummer to adjust the pitch of the drum while playing.

 

A cheerful Sambaso dancer with his Tsuzumi.

 

These musical instruments have long played a role in Japanese legend. Here are two of our favourites:

 

Minamoto no Yoshimitsu was a famous Samurai Lord during the Heian period who came from a large family of warriors. He was a skilled musician and is often depicted playing the Sho or teaching others how to play. His most famous victory in battle came when he rushed to the aid of his brother against Kiyowara at Kanezawa in 1087.

 

 

 

Another one of our Japanese folk-stories is that of Fujiwara no Yasumasa. A celebrated musician and poet whose life was saved by his musical prowess. You can read our blog about Fujiwara no Yasumasa by clicking here.

 

 

 

As well as iconic Japanese musical instruments, these Koro are also decorated with Bronze, Shakudo and Gold depictions of Baku (a mythical Elephant-like creature), Shachihoko (Dragon fish) Ho-Ho birds (Phoenix) and Dragons.

 

 

 

About the artist:

Ohashi San-emon was born in 1851 and his most active period was between 1875 and his death in 1895. He was one of the pioneering metal ware artists based in Takaoka and along with his contemparies Kanzaemon and Yasaemon, they produced many masterful Bronze and multi-metal works for the developing oversea markets. Each Koro is inscribed to the underside and reads “Made by Ohashi San’emon, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, Great Imperial Japan”

 

 

We hope you enjoyed this article. If you did you can explore over 100 stories and blogs inspired by our collection of Chinese and Japanese Fine Art and Antiques by clicking here.