Blacksmith Munechika forging the blade Ko-Gitsune Maru with the help of a fox spirit
1887
About this artwork
This is a woodblock print by Ogata Gekkō depicting the legendary swordsmith Munechika forging a sword with the aid of a kitsune (fox spirit). The print illustrates a scene from Japanese folklore surrounding the creation of the sword Ko-Gitsune Maru.
Did you know?
According to the legend, the 10th-century swordsmith Munechika was commissioned by the Emperor to forge a magnificent sword. Struggling to find a suitable partner to wield the hammer, he prayed to the deity Inari, who sent a fox spirit in the form of a young boy to assist him in the creation of the legendary blade Ko-Gitsune Maru, meaning 'Little Fox'.
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Blacksmith Munechika forging the blade Ko-Gitsune Maru with the help of a fox spirit
Gekkō Ogata, 1887
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