The theme of this Fuchikasira is Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. They were a group of Chinese scholars, writers, and musicians of the third century. As it is traditionally depicted, the group wished to escape the intrigues, corruption and stifling atmosphere of court life during the politically fraught Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. They gathered in a bamboo grove near the house of Ji Kang in Shanyang where they enjoyed, and praised in their works, the simple, rustic life. This was contrasted with the politics of court. The craftsman of this Fuchikashira was Kimura Tomonaga. According to the Kinko Jiten, there was not a lot of information about him other than he was active during the late Edo Period. However, considering the features of the craftsmanship it was likely crafted by the Soten Tradition in Hikone. It has passed the Tokubetsu Hozon Token shinsa in March 2020. |