FIREFIGHTER INSTRUMENT called Tobiguchi

Japan, Edo period (1603-1868)

Iron, wood, shagreen, leather and lacquer

Long. : 48.5 cm

(slight wear from use)

This stick with a cylindrical handle, half sheathed in ray skin and punctuated with five rings of lacquered skin and ligatures of twisted red lacquered wire, has a short iron blade at the distal end. The pommel is covered with red lacquer with mother-of-pearl flakes.

In the event of a fire, tobiguchi were employed by Japanese firefighters led by the Hikeshi (the firefighting organization) to break down doors or partitions made of wood and paper, called shoji .

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

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