The jizaikagi is an adjustable pothook, designed to heat the home and cook food. In farmhouses in early 1900’s Japan, one would typically find a sunken hearth (irori). An iron rod cased in bamboo would hang from the jizai, and could be used to control the height of the pot or kettle above the fire in the hearth. The jizai would be attached via rope to a beam in the ceiling.

This jizai dates to the early 20th century. It is of the Daikoku style, named after its resemblance the God of Good Fortune’s hat. It is made of keyaki wood, and features skilled carving, indicated by the beveled edges. The rope wear can be seen in the middle of the hook, as well as the handles where rope joined the jizai to the ceiling.

See Folk Arts and Crafts of Japan. Muraoka and Okamura, 1973. P. 80.

Also: Mingei, Japanese Folk Art, The Brooklyn Museum, 1985. P. 99.

Age: 19^th/20^th Century

Dimensions: 22 x 22 x 5 inches. Handles protrude an additional 3 inches on either side.