This is a fish-shaped hook used in the hearth. It is thought to date from the Edo to Meiji period, 150 to 200 years ago. The rope and metal fittings are thought to be the same as they were at the time. A tool used to hang pots and kettles over an irori (traditional Japanese hearth) for cooking and boiling over the fire. It's called "jizai kagi" because it has a mechanism that allows it to be freely raised, lowered, and rotated from a beam above the irori. Initially, it was a fixed hook made from sturdy branches like those from hackberry trees. The jizai kagi consists of a hook rod with a hook at the lower end, a bamboo tube through which it passes, and a crossbar that can be raised and lowered to fix the hook rod in place. The upper end of the bamboo tube is fixed to the ceiling, and the lower end of the hook rod, housed inside the tube, passes through a hole in the crossbar, which is then secured to the other end of the bamboo tube. The crossbar varies from simple wooden pieces with holes drilled through them to fancier ones shaped like fish, drums, or gourds, often decorated with symbols of good fortune. Fish-shaped crossbars are particularly common due to a superstition that they protect food from the flames. The fish has a protective meaning against fire accidents as it is believed to have a connection to water. Additionally, the fish, having no eyelids, symbolizes staying awake—never dozing off to ensure the fire does not extinguish. It signifies the commitment to remain vigilant and prevent accidents caused by neglecting the fire. Width 47.3 cm Depth 11.0 cm Height 15.7 cm Weight 1480 g Condition: The condition is generally good. There is no major damage, but since it is an old item, there may be dirt, scratches, scuffs, fading, peeling, etc. We have posted many photos, so please take a look. Atention: The items listed for sale are all used collectibles. Please consider them to have signs of aging, such as stains, scratches, scuffs, tears, discoloration, fading, fraying, and changes in thread color. We will post as many photos as possible to make it easy to understand. As these are old items, we appreciate your understanding before making a purchase. Shipping: The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan. We will use either DHL or FedEx for a safe and secure transportation. It usually takes about 2-3 weeks for delivery, and the package will be shipped with a tracking number. Import duties, taxes, VAT, and any other charges are not included in the item price and shipping cost. Please check your country's import duties before bidding. 051222530516