HOGETSU NORITOMO: A FINE MIXED METAL AND BAMBOO KISERU (PIPE) By Hogetsu Noritomo, signed Hogetsu Noritomo (Jochi) 峯月乗知 Japan, Edo period (1615-1868) The shibuichi fittings decorated in gilt and silver with a majestic dragon, cherry blossoms, and the full moon, connected by a bamboo segment, the mouthpiece and bowl in gilt. Signed in gold zogan HOGETSU NORITOMO. LENGTH 21.4 cm WEIGHT 73.7 g Condition: Very good condition with minor surface wear. Provenance: British private collection. Hogetsu Noritomo, active in the mid-Edo period, is listed in Wakayama Takeshi, Toso Kinko Jiten, p. 309. Hogetsu Noritomo, also known as Omori Noritomo, with the original surname Akashio, was granted the right to use Omori as a family name. He was a samurai retainer at the Ueda domain in Shinshu, today`s Nagano prefecture. He studied in Edo under Nara Joi, one of the three metal master smiths of the Nara School in metal crafting, and later under Omori Hidetomo. 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer`s premium – only for buyers within the EU.