Antique Japanese Jizai-Kagi Wooden Fish Pot Hook – Kyoto Minka Irori Hearth

Authentic Antique Jizai-Kagi from Kyoto

This is an authentic antique Jizai-Kagi (自在鉤), originally used in an old house in Kyoto. It is at least 100 years old and has acquired a wonderful, deep patina from many years of use over an irori, the traditional sunken hearth found in old Japanese homes.

A Jizai-Kagi was suspended above the hearth and used to hold a kettle or cooking pot over the fire. Its height could be adjusted as necessary for cooking or heating water.

The most distinctive feature of this example is the large hand-carved wooden fish, traditionally used as part of the mechanism. Together with the long natural bamboo pole, old rope and wooden hook, it makes a particularly striking example of Japanese mingei folk craft.

This is not a modern reproduction or decorative piece. It is an old working household object, with the wear and imperfections that come from generations of actual use.

Condition

The Jizai-Kagi remains in authentic antique condition.

The carved fish has several chips and age cracks, and the bamboo pole has splitting from age and prolonged exposure to heat. This is extremely common with old Jizai-Kagi that were actually used above a fire.

Some of the wara (straw) twine is original and some has been replaced over the years.

We have deliberately left the piece in its aged condition rather than attempting to restore away its history. Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.