K038 - Mizu Tori 水鳥

This Fuchi kashira represents a waterfowl, meaning wild water birds.

• Material: Copper, Gold-Gilt Silver on Ibushi Gold
• Fuchi (縁) Dimensions: 40.5 mm long, 23 mm wide, 12 mm high
• Kashira dimensions (頭): 35.5 mm length, 18.5 mm width, 10.5 mm height

The Waterfowl, or Mizu Tori (水 鳥) represents a set of wild aquatic birds, such as ducks, waders, swans, geese,...
Subject of Japanese poetry, since the 12^th century, the waterfowl is associated with the first flower of the plum tree, therefore to the renewal, to the resistance of winter, of the harsh season, towards spring, of better days.

The Mizu Tori are found in the story of the battle of the Fuji River between the Taira and the Minamoto clans. Wanting to bypass the Taira, the Minamoto clan flew the Mizu Tori, causing the Taira to retreat, which avoided the fight.