Kano Natsuo (1828-1898)
Tokyo, 1898
A miniature inro-shaped container comprising one case. The silver body is deeply carved with a spray of sweet chestnuts, the spiky outer shells beginning to split and reveal the inner fruit. The slender, veined leaves grow in a downward direction. Chiselled signature: 行年七十一夏雄刻 “Gyonen, nanaju-ichi, Natsuo koku” [Engraved by Natsuo, at the age of 71].It seems likely that this dates from the last few months of Kano Natsuo’s life ,around 1st January – 3rd February 1898, which is the new year of Meiji 31st. Following the Japanese kazoe-doshi system, Natsuo reached 71 years of age (in kazoe) on the first of January (though his actual birthday is on 25th May, 1828).
Natsuo was a painter, calligrapher and poet as well being a highly renowned metalworker. He initially established himself in Kyoto, moving to Tokyo in 1854 where he joined the Tokyo School of Arts in 1889, as the first professor of metalwork. The following year he was appointed teishitsu gigeiin (Artist to the Imperial Household).
Excavations at the Sannai Maruyama site in Aomori prefecture reveal that Chestnuts were cultivated in the Jomon period for at least 1,500 years and appear to have been a diet staple before rice.
