Toyotomi Hideyoshi & Todo Takatora Related Potential National Treasure To Be Auctioned!
Got a Spare $3 Million?
Japan’s ANN (All Nippon News) Network has reported that descendants of samurai warrior, warlord and famed castle architect Todo Takatora (1556 –1630) have announced they are selling an extremely valuable treasure, a golden tea utensil set said to have been a favorite in the collection of the once ruler of Japan, the Taiko, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537 –1598), and presented to Todo Takatora as a reward for his military actions and valor.
It has been announced that this golden tea utensil set currently stored in a Tokyo Ginza location will be auctioned off. The bidding is expected to reach around 300 million Yen (Approximately $3 million). The current owners are selling the prized items “for various reasons” via auction to be held on Saturday, May 27.
The set consists of a chagama, a pot with lid and brazier set for the boiling of water for the tea ceremony, a narrow-necked brazier chopstick vase and gold chopsticks for the handeling of hot coals, a gold teacup, holder and raised stand, a wide necked pot, two smaller cannister-like impliments and rings with which to lift the heated water pot. All parts are gold, with decorations.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified Japan and became the ruler of the country, invaded the Korean Peninsula twice between 1592 and 1598 as part of the Bunroku-Keicho War (1592-1598). At that time Hideyoshi had appointed Takatora as the Vice Admiral of the Sea, and made him commander of the great Toyotomi warship, the Nippon Maru, flying the Taiko’s own Akane red sail, under which he achieved great results.
Todo Takatora was a giant of a man, standing 190 centimeters at a time when the average man stood between 155 – 170 centimeters, and had risen from the lower ranks by merit of a strong intellect and great bravery while serving numerous masters, including Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s younger brother, Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hidenaga, and then Hidenaga’s son before coming into the employ of Hideyoshi himself. Takatora was admired and praised by Hideyoshi for his military deeds in Korea and his territory was increased to 80,000 koku. According to the Todo family, Hideyoshi also rewarded Takatora at that time with the elegant golden tea utensils, which Hideyoshi himself had often used in his famed golden tea room. It is believed by experts that the items are authentic as they have been passed down through traceable generations of the Todo family.
This Todo family heirloom is a mostly unexplored treasure, as it has only appeared in public twice so far, and it has been suggested by appraisers that the historical set may be worthy of National Treasure status. The Todo family have treasured this set, and until now handed it down from generation to generation.
Sakamoto Kosuke, an appraiser at Tokyo antique dealer Antique Art Hachiko-Do, inspected the set ahead of the auction. Sakamoto told reporters "It has a great presence," adding that “(this) is an item that even we don't get a chance to see very often.” Sakamoto drew attention to the finely detailed workmanship. “It is very rare to see such fine workmanship. This is a very wonderful item. In terms of the historical background, this is from the Azuchi-Momoyama period, the era of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.”
Asked about its value, Sakamoto answered "If we consider the value of the gold alone, we estimate that it is worth a little less than 100 million yen. If we consider it as an item that actually came from the Todo family, it should be worth more than twice that amount. Furthermore, if the item is a genuine gift from Toyotomi Hideyoshi, it could be worth many more times that amount. This is truly worthy of becoming a National Treasure."
Concerns Regarding the Sale
While the auction company estimates the winning bid to be between 150 million yen and 300 million yen, the auction manager expressed his thoughts as follows; "Globally, there are many wealthy people in the world who are fond of Japanese history. When items such as this are released, there is a possibility that buyers from the Middle East, Europe, the United States, especially China, and other Asian countries will want them. Ultimately, the proper form for such items is to pass them on within Japan. If possible, I think it would be ideal if they could be housed in a Japanese museum somewhere, particularly one that is associated with Toyotomi Hideyoshi or Todo Takatora.” Japanese source, https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/1f37e727620a29a7395b110fe06dfd1589166776
For most detailed English coverage on the fascinating life of Todo Takatora, may I suggest my book, The Samurai Castle Master, Warlord Todo Takatora, available worldwide from all booksellers, but faster and cheaper direct from the publishers, Frontline Books (UK) https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Samurai-Castle-Master-Hardback/p/21669