sabi

A bit older than Edo (early 15th C.), but this one from the Tokyo National Museum blew me away. One of the most revered examples known and it was a privilege to see.

Great post Glen, I couldn't help but laugh when I read the "middle Muromachi" attribution and citing the age of the sukashi walls to arrive at this conclusion. You can get tsuba to rust very easily, and using that as a kantei point is shocking. Even moreso when ignoring the aesthetic principles and overall execution that no doubt place it in a much later time.

Happy Thanksgiving NMB! On offer today is a beautiful serving dish by the best contemporary Oribe artist for my money. While the black Oribe variant is known for adorning tea bowls, green Oribe like the piece shown here rose to prominence in the Momoyama period as serving dishes for the tea ceremony. It's lively color perfectly compliments the iron brush work and various, often whimsical designs, as well as the wide range of foods in the kaiseki meal. The inspiration for this piece's shape is the Tagasode, or "Who's Sleeves" style of screen painting. A thought-provoking theme that depicts folded (or sometimes casually tossed) kimono on a bamboo or lacquered stand, where the passerby is left to imagine who the owner of such beautiful garments might be... The inside is decorated with a plum branch, buds and blossoms, a textbook Oribe motif. One side of the dish continues this theme, while the vertical lines in the reverse are inspired by traditional fabric patterns to tie in the folded kimono form. Measures 14x12x4.5cm and is in perfect condition. Table wares such as this one do not come with boxes, but for provenance's sake I've included a link from the gallery that I originally bought this from, who featured it in their post regarding the exhibition: https://kurodatoen.s...ticle/498895826.html $150 shipped to the USA, international buyers please contact me for a quote. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional pics, thanks for looking!

Moderate to severe rust will destroy the patina underneath, likely that it was long gone and you removing it revealed the state of things underneath. Looks pretty good and as others have said it'll (slowly) come back over time. I'll echo Jean's statement while mixing in some periodic cloth rubbing to clean up the surface. Keep in mind, this isn't an overnight process. Patience is key. I had a light spot on an Owari guard I previously owned (which are generally known to be fast healing) and it still took a couple years to fully blend in.

Took a long look at one of these at the DTI but the price and condition combo wasn't great. The mist theme has always been a favorite of mine and would like to find a good example. Preferably one on the thicker side. Please let me know, thanks!

Sold

Hey there Michael, hard to say for sure - he took his working name in the early 70's, given the apparent age of the box and the patina of the piece in general I'd estimate 1980's. Impossible to say for sure, but the quality suggests it was made at, or very near his prime as an artist. Thanks!

Good evening NMB, In my experience, finding a good tea bowl of this style is very difficult, let alone at a low price. Ki-Seto is notoriously tricky to pull off, with many efforts failing to capture the color and texture that makes the style so coveted. This example by Kato Yoshiemon is a wonderful achievement - it's glaze has a beautiful warm time, satin finish and crinkly texture that is textbook. This is known as aburage-de for its resemblance to fried tofu, and the bowl here is indeed delicious. Finding unadorned wares of this style is very rare as well, with most re-hashing the popular incised designs from the Momoyama period. This chawan lets the form and glaze do the talking with only simple, yet confident, sweeping lines on the body accenting the piece. The clay flavor is sublime and reflects a long life of caring use - this is also supported by the inscription on the inside of the lid, which is by the 14th head of the Omotesenke school of tea, Jimyosai. The yellow ribbon in the box is a trademark of this school as well. Measures 12.8 x 8.2cm and in perfect condition with no flaws. $275 shipped to the USA, international buyers please contact me for a quote. Payment to be made by PayPal F&F. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional pics. Thanks for looking!

Up for another look, some tire kickers here and elsewhere but nobody has pulled the trigger yet.

Two more, getting slightly earlier now into late Muromachi/Momoyama. A large and imposing Ko-Katchushi with a snowstorm design of equal ferocity. Beautifully composed despite its busy plate, the sign of a true master lost to time. Note the pronounced counterclockwise tilt of the form, an often seen feature of pre-Edo guards. Lastly we arrive back in early spring when the warabi, or bracken ferns emerge from the recently thawed earth (we call them fiddleheads where I'm from). A favorite motif of mine that instantly transports me this time of year, walks in the woods and foraging for these fleeting delicacies.

Pretty much all I own, this should get the momentum going. Two Nidai Yamakichibei, both in his fully developed, individual style. First a spring theme Sakura and Ume accented by the matsukawabishi, a popular pattern on period textiles and commonly paired with floral desings. To me this piece radiates flower viewing vibes. The second shifts to a later season with a strong Autumnal feel. The drizzle motif (Shigure) and boars eye (Inome) are characteristic of this time of year. A masterpiece which leaves the viewer with a chill, you can feel and hear the rain, smell the crisp air and fallen leaves.

Open to reasonable cash offers on this piece, would also consider trades for old iron or soft metal tsuba.

Yamakichibei (Nidai), Sakura and Ume - late Momoyama/earliest Edo.

Owari, warabi - late Muromachi/Momoyama.