Tartar figure, small size. Rattans. Shakudo nanako ground. High relief carving. Gold inlay. Gilded back. Shigure yasuri finish. Southern barbarian.

Shakudo Nanban-style Kozuka, high relief carving, fine hair carving, gold inlay, gold back, Shigure-yasuri finish

The intricate hair carving, the fine nanako (fish-roe pattern) ground, and the delicate Shigure-yasuri finish all indicate exceptional craftsmanship, suggesting this piece is the work of an anonymous master artisan.

The terms Rattan-jin, Dattan-jin (Tatar people), and Nanban-jin (Southern barbarian) that appear in Japanese fittings were apparently used by the Japanese of the time to broadly refer to foreigners in general.

These terms were particularly used to collectively describe Westerners and people from foreign lands, carrying nuances of interest, admiration, and sometimes apprehension towards different cultures.

As the figure on this kozuka has an Eastern appearance, it is identified as Dattan-jin, a term used to refer to the nomadic peoples of the Mongolian Plateau as a whole.

The figure holds a gunbai (military fan), suggesting it might be a warrior or a kabukimono (eccentric person) who favored foreign attire. In any case, it is an intriguing design.

While there are some signs of age-related dirt and peeling, the gold inlay is beautiful and vibrant, and the overall condition is good. Please check the images for details.

Size
Length: Approx. 9.88 cm
Width: Approx. 1.48 cm
Thickness: Max. Approx. 6.4 mm