Wind God & Thunder God Solid Gold Menuki Mumei Kyo Kinko
風神雷神図目貫　無銘　京金工
Item TS011

  • Period: Edo Period

  • Designation: Hozon

  • Signature: Mumei Kyoto Kinko 無銘　京金工

  • Material: Solid Gold

  • Tsuba: Wind God & Thunder God Solid Gold Menuki Mumei Kyo Kinko 風神雷神図目貫　無銘　京金工

    • Length：Front Menuki 3.5cm x 1.6cm
      Ura Menuki 3.4cm x 1.6cm

Price: ¥ 400,000

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Fujin and Raijin

This is an outstanding pair of Kyō Kinkō menuki featuring the legendary Japanese deities Fūjin (Wind God) and Raijin (Thunder God), crafted in solid gold with finely executed yōbori relief carving. This set is unsigned (mumei) and has been authenticated and designated as NBTHK Hozon Tōsōgu, reflecting cultural and artistic value worthy of preservation.

The Fūjin–Raijin motif is one of the most iconic subjects in Japanese mythology and decorative arts. Fūjin controls wind and storms, carrying a great bag of air, while Raijin commands thunder, lightning, and rain. The pairing represents the dual forces of nature and divine protection. Menuki with this theme are significantly harder to find, especially in solid gold, as the material cost and carving difficulty limited production to elite orders and high-status samurai families.

This example belongs stylistically to the Kyō Kinkō lineage, renowned since the Edo period for refined metalwork, elegant carving, and precise handling of precious metals. Kyoto craftsmen were directly influenced by court culture, fine aesthetics, and sophisticated design sensibilities, making Kyō Kinkō fittings some of the most desirable among collectors. Their works are characterized by clean carving, tasteful expression, and superb metal handling, all of which are visible in this set.

The gold base presents a soft luster, and the relief technique (yōbori) shows excellent depth and modeling. The sculptural quality and skillful detail of the divine figures give the set strong artistic presence.

Raijin
God of Thunder

Fujin
God of Wind

The Famous Fujin Raijin Painting