Knife Handle (Kozuka) 1725 - 1800

This is a 'Kozuka' or knife handle, made by Gotō Mitsumori in Japan. The handle presents a formal study in contrasts. Observe the linear precision of the gold frame against the textured grey-black ground. A gilded carp breaks the monochrome field, its scales meticulously rendered, poised in a three-dimensional relief that animates the composition. Consider how the materiality of the gold and the detailed craftsmanship work within the broader context of Japanese aesthetics, which values refined simplicity and naturalism. The carp, a symbol of perseverance and strength, is not merely decorative but embodies cultural and philosophical values. The semiotic interplay between the carp as a signifier of cultural values and its formal rendering speaks to the artist's engagement with both aesthetic and symbolic registers. The knife handle encapsulates the dynamic interplay of form and meaning, where traditional craftsmanship converges with symbolic representation, inviting ongoing interpretation and appreciation.