Knife Handle (Kozuka) 19th century

Editor: Here we have a 'Knife Handle (Kozuka)' crafted in the 19th century, from Japan. It's a metal relief sculpture attributed to Hideoki. I’m struck by how something so functional could be so artfully embellished. What's your perspective on it? Curator: For me, this piece speaks volumes about the social value placed on craftsmanship and the materials themselves. Bronze was clearly available and utilized by workshops to produce high-quality, visually rich pieces such as this. What kind of labour do you imagine was required to produce this? Editor: Given the detail, especially on those tiny insect legs, I would guess many hours by a very skilled artisan? Curator: Precisely. And think about the status conferred upon the owner of such a piece. The labor-intensive creation and inherent value of bronze elevated not just the object, but the person who possessed it, subtly displaying status in a feudal society. Does seeing it as part of larger systems change how you read the object now? Editor: Yes, absolutely! Considering the artistry and material involved moves it away from just being a decorative item. It implies something about trade and hierarchy that I wouldn't have considered at first. Curator: Exactly. So what new meanings emerge when we consider art making as a cultural system? Editor: Thinking about the process reveals much more of the world in which it was made. Thanks, that's really interesting.