A dramatic pair of Japanese okimono fighting cockerels, using the shokado method: mixture of bronze, gold and silver. The birds have naturalistic plumage and the fierce intensity of their fight is captured.

The artist has used this same technique in crafting a superior samurai sword onto this beautiful sculpture. The intertwined gestural pose of each bird gives the viewer the sense realism and drama of a cockerel fight.

The bottom of one bird has a gold cartouche signature, Masatsune (well known family of sword makers).

Meiji period: 1868-1912

Size: 16" tall X 15 wide.