| Bashikō was a legendary horse physician who is said to have lived during the reign of the Yellow Emperor in ancient China (25th century BC). According to legend, he possessed extraordinary skill and could cure any illness affecting horses. One day, a dragon descended from the sky with its ears hanging down. Realizing that the dragon was ill, Bashikō treated it with acupuncture and a decoction of licorice root. The dragon recovered immediately and flew back into the heavens. The artist, Ichinomiya Kenryūshi Nagayoshi, was a distinguished student of Ichinomiya Nagatsune, one of the foremost Kyoto metalworkers of the Edo period. He was later adopted by Nagatsune and, in his later years, moved to Osaka. This work depicts the moment when Bashikō is treating the dragon. The finely executed punched dots on the shibuichi ground create a remarkable sense of flowing energy, while the figures of Bashikō, the dragon, and the horse are masterfully rendered in katakiribori. Their lively expressions and the tension of the scene demonstrate the artist's exceptional skill. It passed NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu shinsa in February 2026. |
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