{"product_id":"antique-japanese-kayaku-ire-gunpowder-flask-with-floral-metalwork-meiji-period","title":"Antique Japanese Kayaku-Ire Gunpowder Flask with Floral Metalwork | Meiji Period, Circa 1868 – 1912","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Textured lacquered body, likely leather over a rigid core, with dark-patinated and silver-coloured mixed-metal fittings\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Meiji Period, circa 1868–1912\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn antique Japanese \u003cem\u003ekayaku-ire\u003c\/em\u003e, or gunpowder flask, dating to the Meiji Period. The accompanying Japanese dealer paperwork describes the object as an \u003cem\u003eenshō-ire\u003c\/em\u003e (煙硝入), an older term for a container intended to hold gunpowder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flask possesses a distinctive long, flattened form resembling a small dagger scabbard. Its body displays a richly textured reddish-brown surface partially enclosed by smooth, dark-patinated metalwork. This contrasting finish gives the flask both utilitarian strength and an unusually refined decorative character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front is embellished with two raised silver-coloured floral appliqués resembling peony blossoms, accompanied by two circular bosses surrounded by beaded borders. A narrow cylindrical dispensing spout projects from the upper end, where it is joined by an aged linked-metal chain intended to secure the closure and prevent its loss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA long metal clip or suspension fitting extends along the reverse. This would have allowed the flask to be secured at the wearer’s waist, potentially passed through an \u003cem\u003eobi\u003c\/em\u003e or attached to other firearm equipment. The slender profile was particularly well suited to being carried close to the body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough traditionally associated with Japanese matchlock culture, powder flasks were used by several classes of firearm owners, including warriors and hunters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Meiji Period dating retained on the old identification tag\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Long, flattened dagger-scabbard form\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Textured reddish-brown lacquered body\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Smooth dark-patinated mixed-metal covering\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Two raised silver-coloured floral appliqués\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Two decorative circular bosses with beaded borders\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Narrow cylindrical powder-dispensing spout\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Surviving linked-metal securing chain\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Long reverse clip or suspension fitting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Accompanied by original Japanese dealer documentation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMatchlock firearms were introduced to Japan by Portuguese traders during the 16th century and were rapidly incorporated into Japanese warfare. These weapons became known as \u003cem\u003etanegashima\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eteppō\u003c\/em\u003e and were employed by samurai, foot soldiers, guards, and hunters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGunpowder flasks formed an essential part of the equipment required to operate a muzzle-loading firearm. They allowed loose powder to be carried securely and dispensed through a narrow spout when preparing a charge or priming the firing pan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the Meiji Period, Japan underwent extensive military and technological modernization. Traditional matchlocks and their accessories were gradually displaced by breech-loading firearms and self-contained metallic cartridges. Surviving Meiji-period powder flasks consequently represent the closing chapter of a firearms tradition that had shaped Japanese military history for more than three centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flask’s decorative floral metalwork also illustrates the Japanese tendency to transform functional personal equipment into carefully ornamented objects reflecting the owner’s taste and status.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood antique condition consistent with age and historical use. The flask displays surface wear, scratches, rubbing, oxidation, patination, and minor abrasions. The textured body exhibits areas of wear and discolouration, while the floral appliqués, bosses, chain, spout, and reverse suspension fitting display age-related tarnishing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe accompanying paper documents exhibit folds, creasing, staining, handwriting, edge wear, and general deterioration consistent with their age. The flask’s interior has not been tested for historic powder residue, and the piece is offered strictly as a historical collector’s object rather than for functional use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLength: 7.5 in\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 1.5 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e114–158 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccompanied by an original Japanese itemized dealer document dated May 6, 1997—Heisei 9—issued by Wakō Co., Ltd., Fine Art Department (株式会社和幸 美術部), formerly located at 3-13-14 Marifumachi, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe relevant entry identifies the object as an \u003cem\u003eenshō-ire\u003c\/em\u003e (煙硝入), translated as “gunpowder container” or “gunpowder flask,” and records a price of ¥65,000.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flask also retains an old handwritten collector or dealer tag identifying it as a “Japanese Meiji Period 1868–1912 Gun Powder Flask.” The tag bears a former price notation of $790, currency unspecified, and a circled inventory number 35.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubsequently sold through Waddington’s Auctioneers \u0026amp; Appraisers, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Established in 1850, Waddington’s is a longstanding Canadian auction house with specialist departments devoted to Asian and international art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover a comparable long, scabbard-form Japanese \u003cem\u003ekayaku-ire\u003c\/em\u003e dating to the Late Edo or Early Meiji Period in the collection of the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/royalarmouries.org\/collection\/object\/object-1869\" title=\"Japanese Kayaku-ire Powder Flask – Royal Armouries\"\u003eRoyal Armouries\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/arms-armor-historical-weaponry\" title=\"Historical Arms and Armour Collection – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eCollection of Historical Arms \u0026amp; Armour\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56009033384258,"sku":null,"price":1350.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/First_photo_design_8.jpg?v=1788107620","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/es\/products\/antique-japanese-kayaku-ire-gunpowder-flask-with-floral-metalwork-meiji-period","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}