AN UMIMATSU YATATE PEN CASE OR KISERTUTZSU
Umimatsu (black coral)Japan19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)This is an unusual example of a yatate, a case for a fude pen, made from brown to brown-black umimatsu (black coral) and depicting a tree trunk with leaves and two nuts as well as a protruding bulge that was used to attach the pen case to the owner’s belt. The opening on the upper side with yellow metal. Possibly, this case was used for a pipe, or kiseru, in which it would be called kiseruzutsu instead. This piece is stylistically reminiscent of the Iwami school.LENGTH 16.5 CMCondition: Good condition with minor natural flaws in the materialProvenance: Austrian private collection