This finely carved vintage Nara Ittō-bori (奈良一刀彫) set depicts Takasago (高砂), one of the most enduring symbols of marital harmony and longevity in Japanese culture. The pair was created by Matsumoto Tetsuzan (松本鐵山, 1947–2009), founder of the Tetsuzan woodcarving studio.
The two figures represent the legendary elderly couple Jō (尉) and Uba (姥), traditionally associated with the celebrated Noh play Takasago. They are often shown with a rake and broom, symbolic objects connected with gathering good fortune and sweeping away misfortune.
Carved in the distinctive Nara Ittō-bori tradition, the figures retain the crisp, angular chisel marks that are characteristic of this historic style of woodcarving. Rather than smoothing away every cut, Ittō-bori celebrates the direct traces of the carving knife, giving the figures a lively, sculptural quality.
Matsumoto Tetsuzan (松本鐵山) was born in 1947 and became known as a specialist in traditional wood sculpture. He established the Tetsuzan (鐵山) carving studio, continuing the expressive hand-carved traditions associated with Nara. He passed away on July 23, 2009, at approximately 62 years of age. This set is accompanied by its original-style wooden storage box bearing the name 高砂 (Takasago).
