A LARGE JAPANESE SILVERED AND PARCEL-GILT BRONZE OKIMONO OF MORI TAHEI

A LARGE JAPANESE SILVERED AND PARCEL-GILT BRONZE OKIMONO OF MORI TAHEI

MODERN, 20TH CENTURY

The famous samurai is depicted standing, holding his spear in one hand and a large sake cup in the other, with a seal mark to the back, possibly for Junichiro Hanwaka, 37.5cm. (2)

Provenance: an English private collection, Somerset, purchased in Japan.

Legend says that the Shogun Hideyoshi once gifted a famed spear to General Masanori. The samurai Mori Tahei from the Kuroda clan arrived with a message for the General, who invited him to a celebratory drink with him. Mori Tahei refused but Masanori offered him a gift of his choice if he were to accept some sake. The samurai eventually agreed, drank his sake, and claimed the spear.

This okimono illustrates the famous song Kuroda Bushi from the city of Fukuoka: Drink, drink sake

If you drink it, you will win the best spear in Japan. And if you drink enough to win it, you are a true Kuroda samurai