Design of Rooster and Autumn Grasses

The Kikuoka school of metal artisans was founded by Mitsuyuki, a student of Yanagawa Naomitsu. As the Yanagawa school itself originated with Naomasa, a student of Yokoya Sōmin, the Kikuoka school can therefore be regarded as belonging to the Yokoya lineage.
　
Yukinobu was a student of Mitsuyuki, who was renowned as a master artisan. A leading figure of the school, Yukinobu was granted the Kikuoka family name and established an independent branch, attracting many students and contributing to the prosperity of the school.
　
This kozuka features a gold mon prominently placed at the center and a gold-covered reverse, recalling the workmanship of the Gotō school. Autumn grasses are added to the right of the mon, however, creating a composition in which the shakudō nanako ground serves as more than a simple background. The gold rooster is executed in a manner virtually indistinguishable from the work of Mitsuyuki, demonstrating Yukinobu’s exceptional skill and artistic sensibility. Superbly preserved, this kozuka is a remarkable piece.