Kogaku

MK-36, Hou-oh (Phoenix)

MK-37, Double Dragon

MK-38, Katawaguruma (wheels in the stream). The wheels look discarded, but they might be like that in order to prevent them from cracking. The original design made in the late Heian period in the 12th century on a box which is now collected by the National Tokyo Museum as a national treasure. I think I gave Kogaku-san a bit of a hard time to Maki-e this design on pens which are small and round. But he did it beautifully. Technique is Shishiai Togidashi Maki-e.

MK-39, Wind-god vs. Thunder-god. This is a popular theme for paintings in Japan. The most famous paintings of the theme were painted by Ogata Korin and Tawaraya Sotatsu on folding screens. The myth originated from Buddhism. In Japan, the Wind-god is usually painted naked with a big air bag on his back running in the sky, while Thunder-god has a face a demon with a belt of Tiger's skin, a big hoop with a string of drum attached is slung over his shoulder, and a big bat in his hand. Technique is Shishiai Togidashi Maki-e.