| Gotō Mitsumasa was the second son of Benjō. Following his father's death in 1851, he succeeded his father as the sixth master of the Hanzaemon family. As a nephew of Ichijō, he trained as his live-in disciple and later went to Edo to study in the Mitsuakira family workshop. Within the Ichijō school, he served as the senior disciple, instructing many members of the school. After the Meiji Restoration, he was recognized as one of the finest master metalworkers of his time and later became Director of the Mint of the Ministry of Finance. He lived in Kyoto. This is a refined fuchi-kashira depicting Phoenixes and Peonies in the elegant style of the Ichijō school. Against a finely executed silver nanako ground, auspicious phoenixes and peonies, known as the “King of Flowers,” are rendered in gold and silver iroe. The design is an auspicious motif symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. This work clearly demonstrates the outstanding craftsmanship of Gotō Mitsumasa of the Ichijō school and remains in excellent condition. It is a fine example of the refined workmanship of late Edo Kyoto metalworkers. It has passed the NBTHK Hozon Tosogu shinsa in 2013. |
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