Rare Rack Hook Known As Jizaikake Or Jizaikagi - Japan - Edo Period (1603–1868)

Rare RACK HOOK known as Jizaikake or Jizaikagi
Japan
Edo Period (1603–1868)
19th century
Japanese elm wood (keyaki)
H.: 61; W.: 51 cm

An important hook carved from a single piece of Japanese elm, whose shape resembles that of a fishhook and has earned it the name Ebisu—the Japanese deity of fishermen and good fortune, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune.
Both relics of a bygone way of life and central objects of folk art (mingei), these traditional rack hooks were hung above the hearth (irori) and were used to support the rack (jizai) for holding cooking utensils such as pots and kettles.
The maki-e lacquer decoration, on a black background, depicts a large number of family crests (mon) featuring the triple leaf of the hollyhock (aoi) within a circle (maruni mitsubaaoi mon): the symbol of the Owari branch of the powerful Tokugawa clan.
The irori was then the very center of the home: it provided heat for the house and was used for cooking and preparing tea.

Ref. 7362

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON