Exquisite Large Solid Gold Menuki by Gotō Renjō
This remarkable pair of menuki, crafted entirely of solid gold, represent the artistry of Gotō Renjō (1628–1708), the tenth mainline master of the renowned Gotō school. Exceptional in both scale and quality, they measure 2.46 inches (6.26 cm) by 0.45 inches (1.15 cm), making them unusually large examples for their type.
The design depicts Hotei, the god of fortune, humorously pulled along inside his treasure sack by his lively attendants. Each figure is animated with expression—straining, pushing, and even using a branch as a lever in their determined efforts. The scene is charming, playful, and beautifully executed, with every detail crisply preserved.
Gotō Renjō was born in Kyoto in 1628, the fourth son of Gotō Sokujo and nephew of Gotō Teijō, the ninth mainline master. Following the early death of his father, Renjō was raised under the guardianship of Teijō and formally succeeded to the headship of the Gotō family in 1645. In 1656, at the request of Shogun Tokugawa Ietsuna, he moved the mainline family to Edo. Renjō’s legacy is significant: often regarded as the last true link between the original Kyoto Gotō tradition and the evolving Edo branch, his works embody the refinement and classical style that defined the family’s golden age.
This pair is accompanied by Tokubetsu Hozon papers from the NBTHK, confirming both their exceptional quality and their attribution to Gotō Renjō. Housed in a custom-fitted wooden box, these menuki are far more impressive in hand than any photograph can convey—true masterpieces of the Gotō lineage.
$4,750
