Araki Tomei Millet Menuki
T0104
SOLD
Signature work by Araki Tomei, solid gold millet menuki. Signed on gold plaques on the back. Excellent workmanship, condition, and kin sabi. It is very rare to find any other subjest used in his fittings, for which he developed his own metal punch to cut the millet heads. 3.93 cm x 1.13 cm 6.5 mm and 3.85 cm x 1.19 cm x 6.5 mm. NBTHK Hozon kanteisho.
Born 1817, died April 19, 1870. It is said that he received the To kanji in his name while a student of Goto Tojo (Haynes H 09719). He was also a preparer, and general worker for the Goto school. Tomei was the art name given to him by the Goto. He later became a student of Goto Ichijo (Haynes H01697), after which he took the name Issai. At age thirty, he set up business on his own. Ref. Haynes, The Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists H 09800.0. Wakiyama, Tosogu Meiji Taikei Vol. II, pages 249 - 255. Boxed
