A somber mid- grey shibuichi migaki-ji body. Two shakudo honzogan crows perch upon an ancient gnarled tree branch,

laden with snow. This design wraps around to the opposite face where more snow partially obscures water grasses next 

to a frozen stream. Katakiribori was employed for the tree branch, and some detail to the crows wings and tail. All 

snow patches are of silver honzogan inlay. The birds eyes and river grass are gilded.  Underneath, the copper Tenjo 

gane reads Ishiguro Masayoshi with kao.

The signature of this fuchi, it can be conjectured, may be false. There are many examples of ishiguro Masayoshi's work 

to be found. All original examples are of extreme quality and craftsmanship. All manner of iroe incrustation are 

employed resulting in an incredible pallet of life and colour. In general a favorite, but not exclusive topic of the 

Ishiguro school, was birds. If Masayoshi set out to create a piece depicting crows in a winter setting, then he would not 

have had much use for the standard ishiguro colour pallet. The artist did however execute the piece wonderfully,

regardless if it was Masayoshi himself or a pupil within the Ishiguro school. Having said that and veering away from the 

obvious bias toward this fuchi, the design is similar to that of the Rinsendo School.  Crows, in groups or individually, 

sitting within the branches of a tree, silhouetted against the moon are encountered on all types of kodogu. Not only the 

same theme, but the same materials are employed: Shibuichi, shakudo and gold.

See hartman collection ppg85 lot#306 similar construction technique.