Fuchi with the Chinese Immortal Kinkô Riding a Carp

Description The man riding the carp on this tsuba is the Chinese immortal Kinkô (Ch. Kingao [Kinkao]). Kinkô was said to have lived over two centuries and frequently painted fish. The king of the fish offered him a journey through the river. After his visit, Kinkô appeared briefly to his disciples, asked them to never kill fish, and then disappeared into the river. This is part of a set with Walters 51.1111.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Signature] 宝花堂　勝政; [Translation] Hôkadô Katsumasa

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters