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FlorianB

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  1. FlorianB

    Yagyu tsuba

    FlorianB replied to Okan's topic in Tosogu

    Mushrooms are always depicted with elongated stems. At least: Kukurizaru giving the impression of mushrooms (or distant pines? ).
  2. FlorianB

    Yagyu tsuba

    FlorianB replied to Okan's topic in Tosogu

    I just wonder about the motif. The similar pine tree pattern is well known. But on Okan's piece it looks like kukurizaru (or tumblers). Kukurizaru are an old motif, but always in different angles, to show the playful sense. But here they are all upside down - so what’s the idea?
  3. FlorianB
    Can’t imagine as a depiction of Namban ship. Other artworks show a very exact view of those foreign vessels, so I can only imagine, that the Tsuba artists refer to hearsay and imagination - if it is really a foreign ship. Needs further investigation. Popular designs have been copied dozens of times and I think the workers sticked simply to the model without knowledge of the meaning.
  4. FlorianB
    The sailing boats in Sasano’s book show not necessarily the same as in the Tsuba at the top. There have been different types of sailing boats, some smaller for fishing, others were larger cargo boats for coastal transport. The extrem shapes (especially the stem) of the first Tsuba I can’t assign to a traditional boat form. Maybe these should give the idea a foreign ship?
  5. FlorianB
    Steve, have You recognized that the forms on the left and right could be warabite or stylized fern sprouts?
  6. FlorianB
    I found a connection between Bishamonten and Shomu Tenno (701 - 756). The latter did a lot to establish Buddhism in Japan and one of three important sutras was the Hokke-kyo. In this sutra Bishamonten promises to protect men. So it may be the depiction of Shomu Tenno (thus the archaic look of the fan) holding a sutra scroll. It’s only a guess but maybe it is worth to research in this direction.
  7. FlorianB
    It's a fan. First I thought of a gumbai or Japanese war fan used by military commanders. However it's an unusual, archaic looking model. Maybe chinese? I'm only guessing so I hope someone else could tell the story of this scene to clarify the details.
  8. FlorianB
    On the Kashira a courtier is shown with his typical "kanmuri" or court cap (could also be something similar chinese). The other character might be Bishamonten definitely. The story behind this scene I'm not able to tell. The scroll might be a sutra with which the courtier summons Bishamonten. The latter points to something unseen, probably depicted on the missing Fuchi?
  9. FlorianB
    I don't think the Tsuba in question portrays a woman at all (Sorry to say on International Women's Day! ). IMHO the motif depicts Kanzan and Jittoku, two chinese Zen monks alleged living in the 7th century. While Jittoku is holding his typical broom, Kanzan is not shown but represented by the scroll (rusumoyo). Frequently broom and scroll alone symbolize this unique pair.
  10. FlorianB
    Sorry for confusing You. Of course a maru-mimi is a typical trait of Akasaka smiths. I was talking about the ring-shape of the rim, the technical term is torus. The generations from the fourth onwards used this shape frequently, but I’m not sure about Ko-Akasaka and first generation particularly.
  11. FlorianB
    Did Ko-Akasaka - in this case Shodai Tadamasa - produce such fully rounded rims?
  12. FlorianB
    I think the theme is correctly named. However, both the tradition of cherry blossom viewing and the use of cloth curtains are very old. So the conclusion the tsuba is of the same age as the depicted woodblock print is not correct. I suppose it was made during the Genroku/ middle Edo period based on the hitsu-ana both in suahama shape. Some blossoms show abrasions at the corners, so it seem like overlay in some parts?
  13. FlorianB
    Exact measures would help. Crane and pines. IMHO Akasaka-style maybe by a minor workshop. Here's an Akasaka which seems to be the model for Yours:
  14. FlorianB
    IMHO it looks like an older dealer's magazine, but I have no idea by which retailer.
  15. FlorianB
    Steve, You’re right, kaku mimi ko niku. 78mm x 75 mm x 6 mm, I speculate it’s from Genroku period because of the elegant design. IMHO the rectangular hitsu ana should add an archaic touch as mentioned above.
  16. FlorianB
    An Owari from my collection:
  17. FlorianB
    Jean, if I understand it right the punched holes must have raised rims of squeezed material, which have been hammered flat or filed off afterwards. The same hole on my tsuba (front and back side). It seems possible the rims have hammered flat here causing a slight deformation of the circular shape.
  18. FlorianB
    I think, rectangular hitsu-ana should evoke the impression of or a reminisce to old age. Sometimes a connection to Genji-chapter symbols seems possible (the first one). The last one looks like a well frame.
  19. FlorianB
    Don't think it's gold nunome, just abraded patina.
  20. FlorianB
    But wouldn’t punching thin out this area? I can’t see any difference in thickness around the holes, that’s why I thought of drilling.
  21. FlorianB
    This was quick - terrific job! I like those old origami writings, although difficult to read. Modern papers are good to read, but in some way aseptic. Thanks a lot!
  22. FlorianB
    I’ve got an old Tokubetsu Kicho paper, a part of my latest acquisition. The usual Kanji I’ve deciphered, but there are some of the handwritten I can’t read. A little help would be nice. Yuki __ sukashi tsuba tetsu ji, maru-gata, __ __ ji sukashi mu mei (Echizen Kinai) Thank You in advance!
  23. FlorianB
    Interesting, but either the motif or the nakago-ana seems upside down...
  24. FlorianB
    Concerning drilling: I own a little Kanayama with two small holes at the top and bottom. The holes have been drilled from both sides as seen on the sketch I made.
  25. FlorianB
    The motif is called „Katata no Rakugan“ 堅田落雁, descending geese at Katata, one of the famous Eight Views of Omi at Lake Biwa. This is connected with clouds or fog, thus a view to the sky, so komorebi seems unlikely. There are a variations of this theme in other parts of Japan, for example a series by Hiroshige who locates the Eight Views around Yokohama: https://yokokanaguide.org/?page_id=15064
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