Types of autograph "Hakogaki" on paulownia boxes
The first point in connoisseurship of tea utensils is the paulownia box.
It may seem surprising, by looking at the condition of the paulownia box rather than the product, you can get some idea of what the product inside looks like.
Types of "Hakogaki"
There are three main types of "Hakogaki",
They are called "Kakitsuke-bako," "Kiwame-bako," and "Tomobako"
"Kakituke-bako"
This is a paulownia box autopraphed by a person of authority, such as a head of a tea ceremony party or a high priest, writes the name of the work of art.
"Kiwame-box"
A professional connoisseur (in the case of Raku tea bowls, Raku Kichizaemon of the present generation) has appraised the bowls and written a certificate of authenticity on the paulownia box.
"Tmobako"
This is a paulownia box autographed by the artist about the work ane the contents of the product.
Pattern of "Tomobako"
In this article, we will introduce the pattern of "Tomobako" so that you can know the name of the artist and the work on the paulownia box of antique art, and also so that you can write the name of the artist and the work on the new paulownia box if you are artist.
There are four main patterns of writing.
- Both "product name" and "artist's name" are written on the back of the lid
- "Product name" is on the back of the lid and "artist's name" is on the back of the lid.
- "Product name" is written on the back of the lid and "artist's name" is written on the bottom of the body of the box.
- Both "Product name" and "artist's name" are written on the side of the box
Even if at first glance you are unsure of what the text on the paulownia box says, remembering the above patterns and reading the text with a good guess, such as "This is the back of the lid, so it must be the name of the product," will broaden your ability to decipher the text.
We can make a new paulownia box for you, however, please understand that we are not connoisseurs of antiques.
Click How to order Paulownia wooden box " Kiribako " to order paulownia boxes "Kiribako".
