The theme of this Fuchikashira is Paper Mulberry and Kemari football. Kemari is an outdoor game played among the aristocrats in ancient times. The players would wear leather shoes and all start on a line, and pass the dear-skin balls by kicking them and not allowing them to fall to the ground. At the Tanabata festival, they would play Kemari after they offered Paper Mulberry branch attached to a Kemari ball. The theme here depicts this situation. The craftsman, Goto Mitsuhisa, was one of main branches of the Goto Family, Jizaemon Family, 6th generation. His work resembles the work of Goto Ichijo. He was active during the Bakumatsu to early Meiji Period. It has passed the Hozon Tosogu shinsa. |