Introducing Kozuka from Wakedo Title: Mouko zu Kozuka Signature: Katsuryuken (Iwama Masayoshi) Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Hozon Tousougu Size: Length 97.5mm, Width 15mm Period: Late of Edo (AD1764 to 1837) School: Iwama school Description Iwami Masayoshi is the founder of the Iwama school. He was a disciple of Hamano Naosuke and was allowed to use the character 'Nao' at the age of twenty, taking the name Naoyasu. After training at the main house, he signed as Katsuryuken Masayoshi, and in his later years, he adopted the name Juboku in pursuit of the ideal techniques of Riju and Mizume Masazui. He excelled in high carving in the Seizui style, and his skills were praised as exceptional. This work is a kozuka depicting a fierce tiger, notable for its interesting composition. The tiger looks up at the sky with a vivid expression, and the high relief technique used in the background creates a three-dimensional representation of the fierce tiger, which is impressive.