Kanaya Gorousaburou (金谷五良三郎), Japanese

A Peach Shaped Hammered Brass Sweet Dish 

About the work

This finely crafted hammered brass sweet dish (kashiki) by Kanaya Gorousaburou is formed in the elegant shape of a peach (momo)—a traditional symbol of longevity and good fortune in East Asian cultures. The surface is treated with a delicate tsuiki (hammered) texture, giving the piece a rich, hand-wrought character that reflects both beauty and function.

A quintessential example of Kyoto metal artistry, the dish embodies the aesthetic principles of simplicity, harmony, and natural form. It is housed in its original signed wooden box (tomobako) and bears the mark of the artist on the base.

Dimensions

6.5cm(h) x 18.5cm(w) x 20cm(d)

Weight: 415.5g

Footnote

The name Kanaya Gorousaburou (金谷五良三郎) belongs to a prestigious lineage of metalworkers in Kyoto, renowned for their expertise in kinchōkin (brass casting) and traditional coloration techniques. The family’s origins trace back to the first generation in 1581, when the original Gorousaburou developed a unique copper coloring method, later called Gora Sanshiki.

The Kanaya family name and legacy have been passed down through 15 generations, each contributing to the refinement and transmission of traditional metal techniques.