Artwork preview

Knife Handle (Kozuka)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Black rectangular object with rounded edges, smooth surface, and two metal decorations. The decoration on the left is gold with a black base, depicting a human figure with one leg stretched backward and one arm extended forward. The figure appears to have long hair. The decoration on the right is bronze and gold, featuring a figure on all fours with a curved object on its back. The background is light gray with a textured appearance. The object is titled "Knife Handle (Kozuka)" and is attributed to the artist.

Artwork details

Date:
ca. 1615–1868
Medium:
Copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), gold, copper, copper-gold alloy (shakudō)
Culture:
Japanese
Dimensions:
599 × 337 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette