A Superb Old Japanese Jizaikagi Hearth Hook 19th Century Japan

This beautiful Japanese Hearth Hook called Jizaikagi is dating from the 19th Century.

This very fine old Jizaikagi in the form of the hat worn by the Shinto God Daikoku. Carved from heavy dark hardwood.

An irori (囲炉裏, 居炉裏) is a traditional Japanese sunken hearth fired with charcoal. Used for heating the home and for cooking food, it is essentially a square, stone-lined pit in the floor, equipped with an adjustable pothook – called a Jizaikagi (自在鉤) and generally consisting of an iron rod within a bamboo tube – used for raising or lowering a suspended pot or kettle by means of an attached lever.

The Jizaikagi come in different forms like this example designed in the style of the hat worn by the Shinto God Daikoku the God of Agriculture which was believed to bring prosperity thereby the Jizai being given the nickname of Daikoku Jizai.

Historically irori served as the main source of residential heating and lighting, providing a place to cook, dry clothing, and serve as a communal gathering location.

It is not known when the Jizaikagi was invented but it was already in use in the Muromachi period 1336 to 1573.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Asian & Oceanic Art

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