www.925-1000.com

Hello,

just wondered if you could help us by giving us any information on the maker please?




Am I right in assuming that the image below states silver?




Thank you,

Alan.

That is a trademark of Mitsukoshi.

For Mitsukoshi's more readily recognizable mark and more information, see the "Chinese and Far East Trade" section of the Contributors' Notes.

Yes, that's a jungin mark for solid silver.

Regards
DR

Very helpful, many thanks. Any reason for the hallmark being of that design? I know this piece was presented by the Japanese Government to my relation.

Thank you for your time.

You are welcome.

I do not know the entire history of Mitsukoshi's variations on its trademarks; the company has a 330 year history. Besides, hallmarks only tell part of the story of any silver piece. If you'd like more information, please consider posting photographs of the entire item.

Best,
DR

Presented by Hajime Monoda, Japanese Minister of Railways.

Thank you for posting such good photos.

The object is in the shape of an uchide-no-kozuchi, the magical mallet carried by Daikoku, one of the seven gods of luck. According to legend, swinging the mallet brings luck and grants wishes, so it would have been a very appropriate presentation gift.

If the object is in fact a box, its most likely intended use was as a kogo, the small incense box used in the tea ceremony. This mallet-form box was fairly popular and was probably marketed by other retailers as well as by Mitsukoshi.

Motoda Hajime (1858-1938) was a lawyer and prominent politician, first elected to the Diet (the Japanese Parliament) in its inaugural session in 1890, eventually serving as Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan. He was appointed to a string of ministerial posts, including first Minister of Railways from 15 May 1920 to 12 June 1922. I believe the jubilee marked the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the first railway in Japan, although passenger service probably only began the following year (1872).

Regards,
David R

Thank you so much, extremely interesting to get the facts regarding the person and the object.

Brilliant and many thanks for your time.

You are very welcome. It is a truly splendid thing to see.