Knife Handle (Kozuka) 19th century

Editor: This is a "Knife Handle (Kozuka)" created in the 19th century by Gotō Mitsuyoshi. It's a mixed-media sculpture using metal and engraving. It's so small and intricate. What strikes me most is how much detail is packed into such a small, functional object. What do you see in this piece, considering its context? Curator: Precisely! Its functionality is key. Forget high art—think about the material conditions of production. This kozuka wasn't meant for a gallery. It's part of a sword, a tool, an item reflecting social status. The choice of metal, the engraving technique – they all point to available resources and the specific labor practices of 19th-century Japan. How does the material and the way it's worked tell us about consumption and value? Editor: So, rather than just appreciating it for its artistic merit, you're suggesting we look at it as a product of its time, reflecting the resources, labor, and even social hierarchies involved in its creation and use. The artist then is more of an artisan embedded in a system of production? Curator: Absolutely! Consider the gold inlay – it isn't just decorative. It signifies wealth, patronage, access to specific materials and skills. Who commissioned it? What was their social standing? Analyzing the materiality gets us closer to understanding the cultural and economic forces that shaped its creation and its intended audience. Does this shift how you perceive its aesthetic qualities? Editor: It does. I initially focused on the artistry, but now I'm considering the socio-economic implications of the materials and the craftsmanship itself. It makes the object much more meaningful, seeing it as part of a broader network of labor and consumption. Thank you. Curator: It's a crucial step to understanding art's connection to our world. Seeing beyond aesthetics opens new perspectives and possibilities.