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Up for sale is this "48th Myochin Muneyuki (1808-1911) Antique 'Hibashi' iron chopsticks #4859" If you have any questions please contact us before buy it. No reserve.
- length: approx. 27cm (10 5⁄8in)
- weight: 147g (w/ box 196g)
The Myochin family has been a family of armorers since the Heian period.
In the mid-12th century, they presented armor and a gag to Emperor Konoe, who praised them and gave them the family name Myochin.
During the Muromachi and Sengoku periods, Myochin Nobuya was active in the Kanto region and was regarded as the best armorer in Japan. The helmet worn by Takeda Shingen was made by Nobuya.
In the Edo period (1603-1867), Myochin Yoshitoki became the official armorer of Sakai Tadakiyo, a chief minister of the Tokugawa shogunate.
In the Meiji period, the demand for armor disappeared and the business was in danger of closing down.
Myochin Hyakko Muneyuki, the 48th generation, focused his attention on hibashi (iron chopsticks), which are said to have been made at the request of Sen no Rikyu (1573-1591),
He made a living making hibashi, and became known as Myochin hibashi.
Its clear tone and lingering sound are so beautiful that it is used as a wind chime and door chime. One person who has been taken in by the charm of the hibashi sound is music producer Stevie Wonder.