masakatsu

Rambutan grow in clusters like this, and have large leaves, but I don't think they are common to Japan... Any thoughts?

Thanks BaZZa. I will remember that if I ever need a kidney...

7th page - soya beans 8th page - water hyacinth 9th page - branch of willow tree and moon 10th page - bamboo shoot 11th page - persimmon 12th page - two pinecones

1st page - water lily 2nd page - two water skippers 3rd page - a crane chick hatching from its egg 4th page - arrowroot 5th page - rindo (Japanese rendian) 6th page - an ear of wheat

Ok, so these aren't the best pictures, but they will do for now... picture 5 shows a unique aspect of the book, that being the lack of a binding. The book is constructed almost like an accordion. More interior pics to follow.

Goto Ichijo

I have found another very exciting Natsuo piece recently... it just arrived today, so I don't have many proper pictures to share, but here's a quick sample: First picture to show scale: And 4 more from the seller: The sketchbook consists of 12 original sketches of small animals and plants by Natsuo with hakogaki by his 3rd son Akio. The book was created in 1866 and the hakogaki was done in 1920. Translation follows: Hakogaki 家父夏雄壮年作 - Made by our father Natsuo in his prime age 大正九年初冬 - Taisho 9th year (1920) early winter 加納秋雄 - Kano Akio Sketchbook 丙寅小春月 - Yang Fire Tiger Perod (Feb 15 1866 – Feb 4 1867), 10th month (Nov. 1866) 夏雄 - Natsuo I will do a follow-up post when I have proper pictures of all 12 sketches, they are fantastic. Probably my favorite is a sketch of a willow branch and crescent moon.

Thank you Robert, really glad you like it. I have to say, these are both so much better in hand. You can create a shimmering affect in the water on the moon kozuka with the right lighting, which really gives it another dimension... like it has come to life. It's really hard to grasp the combination of skill and vision of Kano Natsuo, and I am hooked to say the least.

.... and a newly escaped Natsuo kozuka from Japan.

Here are a few more pics. One with the Natsuo in my care next to the sketch in question, one from the MET and another from Boston MFA.

Hello All. Just thought I would pop this up here for discussion... Came out of hiding last year and was papered directly to Tokuho in Reiwa 1.

Hi Mike, May I ask... what ever happened with this piece? Still in your care? Do you have more pics? Matt

Sorry,forgot to hit attach.

More clouds from Ichijo...

New addition...

Hello All, Just wanted to make an announcement that we are in the kick-off stage of re-forming the Nihonto Enthusiasts Club of Philadelphia, and we will have our first meeting in November. Our hope is to generate increased interest in the study and care of Japanese swords and fittings. The first meeting will be on Saturday November 23rd from 4:30 to 6:30 followed by dinner and will take place at the River of Life Martial Arts and Wellness Center. The address is 321 Morris Road in Fort Washington Pennsylvania. Please come if you can, or at least spread the word, as our intention is to grow the community. Respectfully, Matt

It has been here for quite some time: https://matsukazejapan.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/museum-grade-goto-ichijo-kozuka-19thc-Japanese-edo-antique-fitting-dragon-e176/ Came back from shinsa Horyu, not sure if it has been re-submitted or not. Haven't asked for about a year now.

The link I sent for the mitokoromono is actually Nakagawa Issho, one of Ichijo's better students. On the listing Darcy also included a black and white photo of a similar Ichijo set that looks fantastic. Would love to see color pics, or better yet, see it in hand.

Thank you Pete, I like it quite a bit. I remembered seeing it on Aoi a few years ago also, and I remember really liking it at the time and then it was gone. Luckily Darcy seems to have a very wide reach and happened to know the owner when I talked to him about this set... the rest is history as they say.

Hi Pete, actually I bought this privately from a client of Darcy's... so it never hit his site. I'm pretty sure the previous owner had bought it from Aoi a few years back. Papered tokuho. You're not getting old, just more experienced...

Yep, I liked this piece for a long time and after multiple attempts to contact the seller I was successful and got the Horyu answer also. I'd like to believe they are Ichijo, only time will tell. Love the subject matter, and here's another by his student: https://yuhindo.com/nakagawa-issho/ Either would look fantastic sitting next to this f/k set..

Me too!!! That is a fantastic set, and I use it as my avatar. FAR from cheap, but the chance to own a Natsuo that is right from his sketchbook is always going to carry a heavy price. I also love this set of swallows from Ichijo.

My offering...

It really is almost impossible to imagine how this was done 150 of so years ago. Amazing!