Meiji-era Japanese Sagemono Writing Set

1. Is this a Yatate?

Technically, no, this is not a standard yatate.

• What a Yatate is: A yatate typically features an ink pot (for liquid black ink) physically attached to a hollow stem (for the brush) in one single, rigid piece.
• What this is: This is a Sagemono (hanging object) writing set. It consists of two separate components connected by a cord: a Fude-zutsu (brush tube) and a Shuniku-ire (seal ink box).
• How it was worn: Like a netsuke and inro, this set was designed to hang from the obi (sash) of a kimono. The tube would be tucked behind the sash, while the box hung below, secured by the cord.

2. Function and Contents

• The Long Tube (Fude-zutsu): This hollow tube is designed to store a small, slender writing brush (fude). The end caps unscrew or pull off to access the brush.
• The Attached Case: This is a container for the seal.
  • The Red Ink: The box contains a pad of Shuniku, a thick, vermilion red ink paste made from castor oil, pine resin, and mercury sulfide (cinnabar). Unlike liquid ink, this paste is sticky and used exclusively for stamping seals.
  • The Stone: The small block is the personal seal (hanko or in).

3. The Seal Translation

The character carved into the red stone seal is a stylized version of the Kanji 壽 (read as Kotobuki or Ju).

• Meaning: It means “Longevity“ or “Long Life.”
• Context: This is one of the most auspicious characters in Japanese culture. While seals often contain a family name, “mood seals” or auspicious seals like this were often used for informal correspondence, poetry, or art to wish the recipient a long and happy life.

4. Material and Age

• Material: The base metal appears to be Copper or a copper-alloy like Sentoku (a brass-like alloy) which has developed a rich, warm patina (color).
• Embellishment of Attached Case: The diagonal silver line is a technique called Zogan (inlay). A channel was carved into the copper, and silver was hammered in to create a seamless, flush finish.
• Age: This piece likely dates to the Meiji Period (1868–1912). The minimalist design with the simple silver inlay is characteristic of metalwork from the late 19th century, a time when samurai sword-fitting makers turned their skills to creating personal accessories.

Summary: This is a Meiji-era Japanese Sagemono Writing Set made of copper with silver inlay. It was a gentleman’s accessory used to sign and stamp documents or poetry while traveling.