Raijin-Fujin Maki-e Gent’s Backlock Folder

Product for Raijin-Fujin Maki-e Gent’s Backlock Folder

Maker: Koji Hara (click to see more by this maker)

Price: $6,100.00

Saving: $700.00

Item num: 103316

Blade length: 3.25 in.
Cutting edge length: 2.90 in.
Total length: 7.25 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.40 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.11 in.
Item weight: 4.60 oz.
Shipment weight: 11.6 oz.
Blade: Mirror polished Cowry Y stainless steel, heat treated to 67 Rc
Handle: Stainless steel inlaid with premium whitelip mother of pearl and hand ornamented with maki-e
Sheath: Kiriwood presentation box and kimono fabric pouch
Style: Backlock folder

: Koji Hara’s inimitable style has won him admiration from collectors and fellow knifemakers alike. He consistently creates knives that are renowned for their precision, craftsmanship, and performance. Raijin-Fujin is among his masterworks to date. This folder has been in a private collection and is in mint condition. By all appearances, it could have been made yesterday.
The steel Koji prefers is a powdered metallurgical steel not available in the United States, capable of a higher hardness without being brittle compared to American steels. Over the last few years, Cowry Y has become increasingly hard to find, even in Japan. The resulting blade has extremely good edge retention. The mirror polished surface is only possible though meticulous polishing with diamond dust and a tooth brush! The blade has excellent action and is completed with a thumb stud inlaid with black lip mother of pearl.
Each side of the stainless steel handle is inlaid with central sections of presentation grade whitelip mother of pearl. Front and rear bolsters are enhanced with tsuchime (a hammered finish). The mother of pearl is particularly dramatic, with dramatic flash and underlying texture.
Opposing sides of the knife show detailed images of Raijin and Fujin. The images are created using the Maki-e technique (literally ‘sprinkled picture’). This technique, which was developed during the Heian Period (794-1185 CE), involves Japanese lacquer sprinkled with rose gold, yellow gold, and platinum powder using a kebo brush. The result is a tremendously detailed, lifelike image that can be created in no other way. Maki-e objects were initially designed as household items for court nobles, though they were soon adopted by royal families and military leaders as a symbol of power.
Fujin is one of the oldest Shinto gods — the god of wind. It is written that he was present at the creation of the world and when he first let the wind out of his bag, it cleared the morning mist and filled the space between the heavens and earth so that the sun would shine. He is portrayed as a dark demon on the right side of the knife. Raijin is the Shinto god of thunder. He is portrayed as a red and gold demon on the left side of the knife.
In some legends, it is written that Raijin and Fujin were originally demons that opposed the gods. Buddha ordered his army to capture them. Then after a great battle, the demons were captured and converted to the side of good.
This Maki-e treasure is a spectacular example of Koji Hara’s work and is among the most dramatic examples that I have encountered.
The knife is accompanied by a padded kiriwood presentation box and a pouch sewn from kimono fabric.
Exceptional fit and finish throughout!

Availability: In stock. Usually ships in 1-2 business days