Fuchi and fittings as requested, sir

[benkyoka]

I was asked by sencho to post some pictures of the fuchi and fittings for a sword I was recently given. Here they are. I am very naive when it comes to all things nihonto but am learning. I hope the boardmembers enjoy them and look forward to your insights.

[benkyoka]

Kashira , tsuka, and tsuba...

[sencho]

Hi Syd,

 

The fuchi is signed "SHOZUI" which is the Chinese way of pronouncing the last two characters on the right side of the fuchi... (MASAYUKI in Japanese pronounciation). It looks to be, with the kashira, a matching set.

 

SHOZUI is a very big name, however I am not qualified enough to judge this mei and tell you that it is genuine or not. Milt or some of the fittings `spurts may have a better idea.

 

Sometimes, if genuine, these can be worth more than the blade!! Let`s hope, eh??

 

You got a nice package overall I would say... i`m going green with envy!!

 

Cheers!

 

EDIT... sorry I meant last 2 characters on the left... in Yokohama now and the Shochu has hit me a little hard!!

 

Cheers!

[Pete Klein]

If these were mine (and I wish they were) I would definitely send them for shinsa. The first thing that struck me was the patina which is in line with Hamano work. The mei seems to be very close to my eye as well as the overall theme and workmanship. This is a case where although there is no guarantee it is worth the investment. I'm attaching scans from 'Toso Kodogu Meiji Taikei', Wakayama T., vol. 1, pg. 146.

From Haynes Index, pg.1746/7, abridged:

Shozui, Hamano; born 1696, died 1769; student of the first Nara Toshinaga, considered the founder of the Hamano family school. He is now thought of as the fourth member of the Nara Sansaku, with Toshinaga, Yasuchika and Joi. [he has many students along with his sons -- many signed examples are forgeries, esp. tsuba]. etc.

I believe Rich Turner could help with getting them to the NTHK otherwise you'd have to wait for the Oct. NBTHK shinsa. If you need assistance with agents I can give you several references.

[Pete Klein]

other scan:

[Pete Klein]

Oops -- I just noticed your location. You can go directly to inquire with the NBTHK museum as they have a June shinsa but you need to go ASAP as there might be a limit to the slots available.

[Bungo]

you have any sister-in-laws ? :lol:

 

Yes, definitely have that fuchi/kashira examine by the NBTHK........." Masayuki " is so famous that no one will say it's " authentic " unless you have the NBTHK paper , but the most important thing is that you like it.

I am fortunate enough to snag a menuki set by the same guy with NBTHK paper ( and I am not going to seek " new scholarship " by re-submitting them again ).

As Pete mentioned........ theme, color all match . I checked your mei sample with that of Kinko meikan, there's a slight difference but then tyhe feel is there so hard to say......... I give it better than 50 % odd it's authentic.

 

milt the ronin

[Bungo]

by the way, the theme is a Chinese legend about a sage at young age saving his friends from drowning by breaking the big jar ( show of courage, quick thinking and initiative , to hell with monetary value of the jar )...........

 

milt the ronin

[Pete Klein]

Yes -- that's why I went to Wakayama as he has ten pages of different mei for this maker. Sometimes the meikan can be a bit short on examples for major makers but it is also a bit more up to date. Sort of a toss up at times.

BTW -- Interesting theme -- thanks Milt!

[Danny]

Nice looking FK. I notice that the ana has been re-sized at some point and it now overlaps the mei as one would expect. (mei placement seems correct ) A senior student once shared with me that this can be a factor in conveying a good feeling about the originality of a mei. Below is a Hamano FK for reference. The manner of takabori used for the shako tree seems similar. Best of luck at shinsa !

 

http://www.nihontocraft.com/Hamano.html

 

Best regards,

Danny

[Pete Klein]

http://www.choshuya.co.jp/sale/tousougu/132/index.htm

[Danny]

Good eye Pete,

 

Wonderful, I really admire the manner of the moon, being viewed though the trees. Thank you.

 

Danny

[benkyoka]

  Pete Klein said:

You can go directly to inquire with the NBTHK museum as they have a June shinsa but you need to go ASAP as there might be a limit to the slots available.

 

I will most definitely take these to shinsa, but June might be a little to near. Can anyone post any links/info regarding shinsa schedules and how to participate in one?

 

Looks like I got very lucky indeed.

[Danny]

Hello,

 

Please check here for information on NBTHK shinsa in English.

 

http://www.touken.or.jp/english/english ... ation.html

 

Thanks and good luck

 

Danny

[Henry Wilson]

Comparing the pictures of the item's mei with documented examples above, I would say it is the real thing, in other words shoshin.... Just my humble opinion. Well done.

[sencho]

I just found this while surfing the web...... I thought I had seen this theme before and finally re discovered this thread.... and here is the link that I just found....

 

http://www.trocadero.com/momirudo/items ... .html#item

 

not sure about the mei which looks a little more "wooden" than the f/k, but the theme (down to the decoration on the pot!) is almost identical.... this would have made a nice little set!

 

I just love Hamano school and Nara styles

..... fantastic!

 

Cheers!

[nagamaki - Franco]

  Pete Klein said:

If these were mine ...... I would definitely send them for shinsa. .... . The mei seems to be very close to my eye as well ..... . This is a case where although there is no guarantee it is worth the investment.

 

Ditto. Sencho's kozuka post suggests it is right as far as the workmanship, and even the theme goes.

[Pete Klein]

This mei does not look right to me. Compare it to the previous post from the meikan and you can see several deviations in the strokes and construction of the kanji. This work is highly copied so caution is in order here I believe.

[nagamaki - Franco]

Pete, the signature is not dead on, there is a slight 'feeling' to it as if it were being copied. Some works make you wonder about a collaboration between the master and a student. This is why it is important to study carefully before even deciding to submit an item to shinsa. The owner of the fitting/sword should know or already have a very good idea of what the outcome of a judgment will be.

[Pete Klein]

I hear you. I sort of have a problem with the whole 'student work' thing. I always cringe a bit when i hear it, sort of like a seller using it as a ploy. To me if it's not on then it's off and should be appreciated for the work it is but not as by who it might be from. :?

[nagamaki - Franco]

:lol: , I always think back to that old commercial "is it live or is it memorex", when looking something over.

[Pete Klein]

You got that right! :lol: I think one of the things you learn by going to the sword shows (or gun collectors shows, coin shows, etc.) is that there is a language used in each field which is purposefully misleading. You have to really listen or you can get you know what-ed!

[sencho]

yep.... some very interesting similarities of the design though.... the three main characters all in the same poses, etc... pot with same vegetation and decorations.... mei is surely different from the f/k.....

 

cheers

[Guest reinhard]

Hamano Shozui finished the most subtle details perfectly. Looking at the hands, for example, make me suspicious.

 

reinhard