Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 7.djvu/335

SWORD-FURNITURE

"Gone the old year,  Gone to his death;  Tears for his tomb.  Yet from his bier  Stealeth spring's breath  Of wafted plum."^[1]

Here, again, are two kozuka by Gotō Ichijo. The first is of copper backed with gold. On the face, beautifully modelled in medium relief, are two golden mummers of the New Year, dancing, instinct with life, and above their heads the conventional decorations of the season hang, incised. On the back these lines are engraved:—

"Endless the ages shed on earth  Their gems of joy. Once more in truth  The jewel of a year's new birth,  Flashes the light of laughing youth  From fount and well. Each quickened tree  Gives pledge of leafy luxury.  A myriad signs of gladsome springs  And years untouched by pain or ruth  For you, my prince, this sunrise brings."

The second kozuka is of shakudo, wrought on both faces with fine-grained nanako. The design, chiselled in low relief and painted,—no other term applies to the skill of the manipulation,—painted with gold, silver, and bronze, is the rustic gate of a country cottage, overhung by pine-trees, and standing among feathery grasses of autumn. The tender restfulness of the picture is delightful. On the back are these lines:—

1. The plum-blossom is the emblem of spring.

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