| Today, kusudama is decoration used to mark the opening of auspicious events, but originally it was used at the Imperial Court on Mayh 5th to ward off evil spirits and pray for longevity. Kusudama was filled with fragrant medicinal herbs such as musk, cloves, and agarwood in a single bag. The bag of medicine ball was tied with Japanese mugwort and irises, and further decorated with artificial flowers and five-colored threads to add beauty. The metal craftsman, Azuma Masutsune[東益常], was a student of Goto Mitsuyoshi[後藤光美] (the 15th head of the Goto family). He was born in Kyoto and lived in Edo. This work is a refined, elegant, and noble kusudama design in the Goto style. It has passed the Hozon shinsa in 2014. |
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