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GRAND TRIO > TOTETSU (TAO-TIEH)
Totetsu in Japanese, or Taotieh in Chinese, is the name of a mythical creature widely used as a bronze ware for more than 1000 years, beginning in the Chinese Shan Dynasty. The creature possessed the head of a human, the body of a sheep or cow, the horn of a goat, eyes on the side of his chest, a tiger's teeth, the nails of a man, and it made sounds similar to that of crying human babies. The bestial face of this man-eating devil was popularly regarded as an extremely avaricious creature that robbed people and bullied the weak. The Totetsu was greatly feared and disliked. But the Chinese used this design as a charm against devils, in the belief that it would ward off evilly minded people from their property.
The artist Akio was inspired by a Totetsu design on a 1000 year-old bronze ware when he visited the Taiwan National Museum, to recreate this creature on his Maki-e.
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Model |
MSRP
In U.S. |
Limited |
Artist |
F13 Black |
$2,500.00 |
50 |
Akio |
F14 Red |
$2,500.00 |
50 |
Akio |
F15 Hirameji |
$3,000.00 |
50 |
Akio |
F16 Nashiji |
$3,000.00 |
50 |
Akio |
F17 Hirameji-Kinji |
$3,000.00 |
50 |
Akio |
Here are four animals we selected for this series painted by Kogaku. Every piece is made with techniques of Taka Maki-e, Togidashi Maki-e with pure gold and platinum. Also blue shell Raden and Hirame Kinji (gold dust) are widely used.
F6, Taka (Falcon) is well known for falconry in Japanese history
as the birds were beloved by all Daimyos for hunting. Standing on
a bold tree with its sharp eyes made of Tamamushigai-shell Raden,
(a two-striped green buprestid) the falcon and the tree are all
Taka Maki-e with pure gold and platinum, and the ground is Hirame-kinji
in gold.
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F7, Hohoh (Phoenix) riding on the cloud of fortune is an auspicious
imaginary bird to the Japanese. It is the symbol of benevolence
and when it appears it foretells the coming of happiness and prosperity
for people. The phoenix is also known by the whole world as a legendary
bird with various stories in different countries.
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F8, Shishi (Imaginary Lion) was regarded as the king of the
beasts and the symbol of courage and magnificence. Its head is sacred
and a ritual dance with a lion's mask is usually played at shrines
for festivals. Taka and Togidashi Maki-e techniques are fully used
with gold and platinum.
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F9, En-koh (Monkeys) En is a monkey and Koh is also a monkey.
They are laughing at each other because "He is a Monkey, but
I'm not. " The design shows two monkeys trying to get the moon
from the water - very humorous.
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N6, No Evil Monkeys The
theme was inspired by the well known Monkey Trio carving on the
wall of Toshogu, a shrine built for famous shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu
in Nikko during the 17th century. It is humorously designed with
gestures of the monkeys representing "See no evil", "Say
no evil", and "Hear no evil".
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Model |
MSRP
In U.S. |
Limited |
Artist |
F6, Taka (Falcon) |
$5,600.00 |
30 |
Kogaku |
F7, Hohoh (Phoenix) |
$5,600.00 |
30 |
Kogaku |
F8, Shishi (Imaginary
Lion) |
$5,600.00 |
30 |
Kogaku |
F9, En-koh (Monkeys) |
$5,600.00 |
50 |
Kogaku |
N6, No Evil Monkey |
$7,000.00 |
30 |
Kogaku |
F40, Ki-do-ai-raku/Shishiai
The most difficult method, Shishiai Togidashi Maki-e was used for this piece. The mouth, ears, eyelids, etc. were raised four times with silver powder and carefully face-lifted each time and finally finished with repeated burnishing.
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F41, Ki-do-ai-raku/Togidashi
The technique used here is Togidashi Maki-e, and the design is raised by silver powder. The silver powder was used in order to have a better dimensional effect. Black Kanshitsu (black Urushi power mixed with silver powder to make a grayish shade) was used for the hairs.
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F42, Ki-do-ai-raku/Hira
This piece was completed with Hira-Togidashi Maki-e.
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GRAND TRIO > SHICHIFUKUJIN (SEVEN
GODS OF FORTUNES)
F19, Daikokuten
Daikokuten was originally a major god in Hinduism. In China,
he is worshipped by believers with a big bag of gold placed on a stool
in the kitchen room of most temples. The god was later worshipped by
the Japanese as a god of good fortune. As seen today, he is standing
on rice bags and wears a hood on his head, carries a big bag on his
left shoulder and holds a magic mallet in his right hand.
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F35, Juronin
He was a god of longevity from the Song Dynasty in China with a long
face, and carries a stick and a fan in his hands. He had a sutra tied
with a stick, and was followed by deer.
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F36,
Fukurokuju
A short man with a long, heavily bearded face and a sutra tied up on
his stick. He is followed by many cranes. He is a god of fortune, good
income and happiness.
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F34, Hotei
Hotei is a Zen priest of the Tang Dynasty. He is potbellied and carries
a big bag full of daily needs. With a stick in hand he walks from town
to town, begging for alms to be put into the bag. This amicable priest
is always surrounded by children, and is a favorite topic of conversation
amongst people. He could foresee the fate of people after the death
of Buddha.
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Model |
MSRP
In U.S. |
Limited |
Artist |
F19, Daikokuten
(Name of The God) |
$3,000.00 |
30 |
Rakkan |
F35, Juronin
(Name of The God) |
$3,000.00 |
30 |
Rakkan |
F36, Fukurokuju
(Name of The God) |
$3,000.00 |
30 |
Rakkan |
F34, Hotei (Name
of The God) |
$3,000.00 |
30 |
Rakkan |
Sumo, (Japanese wrestling), Yakyu (baseball), Kyujutsu (archery) Judo and Kendo (Japanese fencing) are all considered Japanese national sports, but none of them is designated formally as a national sport by the government in Japan. The beginning of Sumo history is not clear, but we know that the sport became a profession 500 years ago. The first impression you may get from Sumo is "big". The wrestlers weigh 300 lbs. or more, but they are amazingly strong and quick. Whoever wants to be a wrestler has to start as an apprentice right after graduating from junior high school. Then, in order to become a professional Sumo wrestler, he has to pass both the mental and physical examination to be a Sumo student. The hard training begins here, and his win-or-lose game will be decided just in seconds and very often in three seconds! The ring is only 15feet in diameter and to lose the bout one has to be either pushed out of the ring, forced to touch the
The Sumo Champion is the top star in Japan. He is much more popular than champions of Judo or Kendo, because Sumo is a very traditional sport while Judo or Kendo are considered modern sports. It is very interesting to know that though one bout of Sumo can last only a few seconds, there are about 340 bouts in a contest nine hours long, starting at 9:00 in the morning and finishing at 6:00 in the evening. There is only one organization that sponsors Sumo contests. There are [YOU FORGOT A NUMBER!] seasons a year, beginning in January, one every other month. The season is called Basho, which consists of a tournament of fifteen consecutive days, beginning on Sundays.
Sumo wrestlers are big and strong, but they usually have to retire in their early 30’s. There are only a few successful wrestlers in the Sumo community, while most wrestlers have to look for other jobs to make their living. One such job is to work in a “Chanko Nabe” restaurant, which serves a very special type of “Shabu Shabu” hot pot food. The waiters from these restaurants are all retired “Osumousan” (wrestlers).
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GRAND
TRIO > TOKAIDO 53 STAGES
Tokaido was "Highway 1" in Japan during the Edo period
(1603-1867) between Edo (today's Tokyo)
and Kyoto. Extending 300 miles, the Japanese traveled on it by foot
or on horse until today's modern transportation systems. The journey
would normally take travelers at least two weeks on foot. There
were at least 50 different places where they provided Yado (inns),
Yasumi-Chaya (resting places for tea) or restaurants and good scenery.
Ukiyoe became extremely popular among the Japanese by many famous
artists, such as Hokusai, Hiroshige, Utamaro or Sharaku and their
successors. These artists competed for fame with these stages. Many
of those paintings are now Japanese national treasures and have
become very important collectible arts in the world today.
F10, Nihonbashi (Nihon Bridge in Tokyo)
The Maki-e on the cap painted by the artist Shojo was originated
by Hiroshige's Nihonbashi, which is today's rebuilt Nihonbashi near
to the Imperial Place. Nihonbashi was the first station of the Tokaido
Highway to Kyoto. The painting on the barrel is Tozuka, which is
now located in the city of Yokohama, around 25 miles from Tokyo.
It was considered the second station for travelers who left Nihonbashi
early in the morning to stay for the first night.
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F11, Sohshu Umezawasa (View Of Mt. Fuji & Cranes From Sohshu
Umezawasa)
This was from Hokusai's Original of Fugaku 36 Kei (36 sceneries)
with Mt. Fuji in the morning and flying cranes on the cap and cranes
playing on marshes on the barrel. The place was called Soshu Umezawasa.
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F23, Aka Fuji (Red Fuji & The Sea)
Another very famous painting from Hokusai recorded in the Fugaku
36 Kei as Sanka Haku-u (Showers under Fuji) on the cap and the twilight
sea at Surugasayu on the barrel.
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F24, Odawara-no Kawa-go-e (River Crossing at Odawara)
The scenery of Odawara (around 50 miles south of Tokyo) on the cap
and Kawagoe on the barrel. The Kawagoe shows interesting ways to
cross rivers at that time by travelers using palanquins as their
"human vehicles".
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Remarks: Today's Tokaido has become a freeway that runs parallel
with the Bullet Trains. If you want to drive from Tokyo to Kyoto,
you'll have to pay at least US$150.00 just for the toll for the
300-mile long freeway, or around 50 cents a mile plus $4.00-5.00/gallon
of gas.
Model |
MSRP
In U.S. |
Limited |
Artist |
F10,
Nihonbashi |
$6,800.00 |
30 |
Masanori |
F11, Sohshu Umezawasa |
$6,800.00 |
30 |
Masanori |
F23, Aka Fuji |
$6,800.00 |
30 |
Masanori |
F24, Odawara-no
Kawa-go-e |
$6,800.00 |
30 |
Masanori |
N1, Kingyo (gold fish) is a mutation of a crucian carp. They believe that the red and black crucian carp from Yantsu River in China are today's Kingyo's progenitors. It was also said that the first Kingyo was brought in from China during the late Muromachi period (1337-1573), and the cap became popular in the late period of Edo in 1860's. Unlike Koi, Kingyo need a lot of delicate care to maintain good health. Because Kin-yo are so vulnerable, tropical fish have become more popular to keep as pets in recent years in Japan. Nevertheless, Kingyo is still one of the most popular pets in Asia.
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N4, Akebi (scientific name Akebia quinata Decaisne), is a type of vine. The Akebi family, a deciduous tree, has three different Akebi growing in Japan; Akebi, Mitsuba (three leaves) Akebi and Goyo (3-5 leaves) Akebi. You can tell the difference between the species by the shapes of their leaves. All three bloom in April and May, and bear long, egg-shaped, sweet fruits in autumn. Japanese people used to weave Akebi vines into baskets or handbags which they exported internationally in the Meiji period. These hand-woven articles are called Akebi Tsuru Zaiku, Akebi Vine Crafts, and were mainly made in the Aomori Prefecture. This traditional handcrafts are still well liked for their unlimited designs and their natural look.
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N5, Koi-no Takinobori (A theme of carps swimming against the fall)
A symbol of healthy strong boys in Japan. Koi can be regarded as a "national fish"symbolic of strength and health for all Japanese children. Koi is also a very expensive pet not only for the Japanese but also for the whole world. Good examples can easily cost more than ¥100,000.00 a piece. This Maki-e uses all kinds of difficult techniques in addition with pure gold and platinum. However, N11 of Koi is a more conventional Japanese design with Shishiai technique used by Yusai.
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Model |
MSRP
In U.S. |
Limited |
Artist |
N1, Kingyo (Gold
Fish) |
$3,200.00 |
30 |
Yusai |
N4, Akebi (Flower) |
$5,500.00 |
30 |
Yusai |
N5, Koi-no Takinobori |
$8,000.00 |
30 |
Yusai |
N11, Koi (Carps) |
$3,400.00 |
30 |
Yusai |
M 1, Bakufu (
Waterfall ) |
$3,500.00 |
30 |
Yusai |
N32, Karamatsu (Larch)
If Japanese had to vote for a national tree, I believe that Matsu, the pine tree, would be chosen. Karamatsu, the larch, belongs to the Matsu family, and is a symbol of longevity. For hundreds of years the Japanese decorated their gateway with pine boughs during the New Year holiday, from January 1st to 5th. Karamatsu mainly grow in the mountainous central part of Japan. Karamatsu is needle-leaved, but it blooms in the spring. The leaves turn into a beautiful yellow in the autumn, and they fall in the winter. The tree is easy to grow and good for building, and the bark produces tannic acid for dyes.
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Model |
MSRP
In U.S. |
Limited |
Artist |
N20, Sakura |
$4,000.00 |
30 |
Yuji |
N21, Pampas Grass
& The Fox |
$4,200.00 |
30 |
Yuji |
N31, The Seven
Autumn Flowers |
$3,400.00 |
30 |
Sohou |
N32, Karamatsu
(Larch) |
$2,800.00 |
30 |
Sohou |
GRAND TRIO > NEW DESIGNS
N-921, Shirasagi (egret) with Hira Maki-e
N-921 |
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N-922, Tsubame (Swallow) with Hira Maki-e
N-922 |
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N-923, Oshidori (Mandarin Duck) with Togidashi Maki-e
N-923 |
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N-924, Maple with Togidashi Maki-e
N-924 |
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N-925, Shobu (an Iris) with Taka Maki-e
N-925 |
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N-926, Cho to Bara (Butterfly and Rose) with Shishi Maki-e
N-926 |
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Model |
MSRP
In U.S. |
Artist |
N-921, Shirasagi (egret) with Hira Maki-e |
$2,200.00 |
Yuhaku |
N-922, Tsubame (Swallow) with Hira Maki-e |
$2,200.00 |
Yuhaku |
N-923, Oshidori (Mandarin Duck) with Togidashi Maki-e |
$2,800.00 |
Yuhaku |
| N-924, Maple with Togidashi Maki-e | $2,800.00 | Yuhaku |
| N-925, Shobu (an Iris) with Taka Maki-e | $3,200.00 | Yuhaku |
| N-926, Cho to Bara (Butterfly and Rose) with Shishi Maki-e | $3,600.00 | Yuhaku |