Tsuba with Chokaro and Mule Leaving the Gourd

Ichiyôsai Hironao (Japanese, active ca. 1825-1850) (Artist)

1st half 19th century (late Edo)

shibuichi, gold details
(Japanese Military Armor)

This tsuba shows the Taoist Immortal Chokaro (Ch. Zhang Guo [Chang Kuo]) releasing his magic mule from a gourd. Chokaro sits at the lower right of the tsuba holding the gourd. The mule is above the central opening on the left. Chokaro's mule lived in the gourd until Chokaro needed it. The mule could carry Chokaro for thousands of miles and did not need to be fed.

Inscription

[Signature] 弘直; [Translation] Hironao (kao)

Provenance

**Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.**

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

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Geographies

Japan, Mito (Place of Origin)

Measurements

2 9/16 in. (6.5 cm)

Credit Line

Acquired by Henry Walters

Location in Museum

Not on view

Accession Number

In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.

51.352

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