Wonderful Kozuka depicting a dragon with blossoming plum tree. Most of the Japanese dragons being water deities are associated with rainfall. And plum tree flowers are associated with the month of February and represent beginning of spring. These should not be confused with cherry blossoms as latter have split at the end of the petals. Thus, the two design elements of this Kozuka together represent beginning of the spring in Japan. Beautiful carving, correct inlay, fine nanako-ji. Perfect sujikai-yasurime on gilded backside and edges of the Kozuka.
