"Firefighter's Instrument Called Tobiguchi - Japan - Edo Period (1603-1868)"
FIREMAN'S INSTRUMENT called TobiguchiJapan, Edo period (1603-1868)
Iron, wood, shagreen, leather and lacquer
Length: 48.5 cm
(slight wear from use)
This cylindrical stick, half sheathed in ray skin and punctuated with five lacquered skin rings and red lacquered twisted wire ligatures, has a short iron blade at the distal end. The pommel is covered in red lacquer with mother-of-pearl flakes.
In the event of a fire, tobiguchi were used by Japanese firefighters under the direction of the Hikeshi (fire-fighting organisation) to break down wooden and paper doors or partitions, known as shoji.
Text and photos © FCP CORIDON
Ref : 4484
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