Samurai Battle Paddle (Translation)
黑漆嵌螺鈿日月軍配団扇 江戶享保丙申年 東竹堂 (Primary Title)

Tochikudo, Japanese, died 1741-44 (Calligrapher)

1716
Japanese
Lacquer on wood with mother-of-pearl inlay, metal fittings, silk tassel, bronze stand
Overall: 21 × 7 in. (53.34 × 17.78 cm)
2021.523
Not on view

A Samurai fan was used by a samurai commander to signal orders in the battlefield. The exquisite craftsmanship of this piece suggests that it was made for ritual service. This fan features mother-of-pearl inlay with the sun-and-moon motif on one side and two characters meaning “flying dragon” on the other side. Dated to 1716, the fan bears a signature and seal of Tochikudo, an established calligrapher active in Osaka during the mid-Edo period.

Edo period (1615-1868)
東竹堂 Tochikudo
東竹堂 Tochikudo
飛龍 享保丙申 東竹堂 (Flying dragon, 1716, Tochikudo)
Gift of the Estate of Senator Hugh Scott, by exchange

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