Kozuka with design of "The Heavenly Weaver"

Kozuka with design of "The Heavenly Weaver"

DateEdo period, late 18th or early 19th century

MediumSentoku with inlay of silver, shakudo, and gold

Dimensions1/2 × 3 3/4 inches (1.3 × 9.5 cm)

CultureJapan

ClassificationsArmor

Credit LineMemorial gift from the Estate of Charles W. Hay, Class of 1925

Terms

Decorative Arts
Sword accessories
shakudo and gold
Japanese

Object number73.005.139

Label CopyBRIEF DESCRIPTION This small item is the handle for a utility knife (kogatana) that is often attached to the scabbard of a samurai sword. WHERE WAS IT MADE? This object was made in Japan during the Edo period (1615-1868). HOW WAS IT MADE? This handle was handcrafted from a material known as sentoku, a bronze alloy with copper, tin, lead and zinc that, when polished, turns a satiny yellow gold color. Fine designs made of gold, silver, and shakudo (another metal alloy) have been set, or inlaid, into the sentuko. HOW WAS IT USED? The kozuka was a decorative hilt for a small utility blade. During the Edo period, it was one of a number of sword accessories that were the focus of fine craftsmanship and the appreciative sensibilities of collectors. Well-crafted, beautiful accessories reflected the prestige and good tastes of their owners. WHY DOES IT LOOK LIKE THIS? Notice the woman weaving with a large loom, up in the clouds. She is known as the Heavenly Weaver in Chinese cosmic mythology. The daughter of the Celestial Emperor Tentei, the Heavenly Weaver was said to have fallen in love with a herdsman, Kengyu, and consequently neglected her weaving duties - weaving fabric from the clouds to make garments for the gods. Angered by this, Emperor Tentei punished the lovers by separating them by the Milky Way. They were only permitted to meet once a year, on the seventh night of the seventh moon when the two stars, Vega and Altair, cross paths.

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