Knife Handle (Kozuka) 1725 - 1825

Editor: Here we have "Knife Handle (Kozuka)" crafted sometime between 1725 and 1825 by Ichijosai Hironaga, residing here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It’s fashioned from metal, featuring a deeply carved fish. Its scale seems so miniature, yet the detail is incredible. How do you approach an object like this from a formal perspective? Curator: Initially, I'm drawn to the interplay of textures. The smooth, burnished surface of the metal contrasts markedly with the rough, intricate detailing of the fish and fishing tackle. Consider the composition. The strong horizontal orientation is disrupted by the dynamic form of the fish— mouth open, seemingly caught in the act. Note how the artist’s precise manipulation of the material contributes to the success of the overall work. The varying levels of relief, from the barely-there scales to the boldly protruding head, contribute significantly to the dimensional qualities. How do these formal choices contribute to its visual interest, would you say? Editor: The tension between the flat surface and the three-dimensional carving is fascinating. Also the plain background focuses the attention on the carved elements. Is it simply decorative or does the artist also imply an underlying story about power relations, predator versus prey, and the human role as angler? Curator: Excellent points. The composition creates a focal point on the fish, emphasizing its struggle within the constraints of the object itself. And considering the historical usage, one may further argue that the image presents a subtext about constraint. Considering that this is crafted as an artistic endeavor, what would be lost if rendered only through description or story? Editor: The inherent tactile qualities and spatial relationships – those are essentially lost without seeing the real thing. I now realize how much careful formal examination reveals! Curator: Precisely. By carefully analyzing such artistic structures and relationships, we arrive at deeper levels of art.