A FINE SUAKA KOZUKA WITH A CHILI PEPPER Unsigned Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The suaka (refined copper) kozuka decorated with a long, knobby chili pepper in takazogan, its upper section splitting just below the stem to reveal four seeds. LENGTH 9.7 cm WEIGHT 36.7 g Condition: Good condition with minor wear, minor splitting near the top of the handle. Museum comparison: The present subject is rarely encountered in tosogu art. Compare a closely related suaka kozuka with gold and silver takazogan depicting three chili peppers and a daikon, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET), accession number 29.100.1188.

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