Namban gathering at Tampa

[Peter Bleed]

Dear Friends,

I have not begun to pack for the weekend, but as a results of the List's (wonderful) discussion of Namban, I just got out 12 cupped Namban tsuba. some are certainly repurposed Chinese guards, and others are - well - not. None have papers, but maybe they're worth seeing anyway, So I'll bring them to Tampa.

I won't have a table, but is it too late to ask with we might find a bit of space and an hour or two on Saturday to have a "Namban Slam Down."

Peter

[Soshin]

Dear Peter,

 

Sure sounds like a good idea. How about we all meet after NBTHK lecture on Ko-Kinko at 1:00 PM but before my shinsa slots at 4:25-4:30 PM. I may be getting my rain dragon tsuba back from NBTHK shinsa at the show. It might have Hozon papered to Higo, Jingo, or Namban and be worth discussing. Once we have an idea who will be attending we can work out the details via PM. Now only three more days of work.

[docliss]

Here is another example of a cup-shaped tsuba. Of a darkly patinated iron, and octagonal in shape, it is bordered by a double, raised rim. Both surfaces are covered by a low relief design of flowers and vegetation, this being more profuse on the omote (convex) side. The base metal has a fine ishime surface, and there are remnants of gold decoration on the design. This was once covered in its entirety by a gold nunome overlay, and would have been very striking in its appearance.

 

The floral design is possibly derived from 17th century, Portuguese tooled and worked leather. This is an example not of a Namban tsuba, but of 18th century Hizen work, which commonly features extensive nunome decoration.

 

John L.

[Soshin]

Hi Dr. L.,

 

Nice Hizen tsuba and thanks for posting! Wish you could be our guest lecturer at our meeting on Nanban tsuba at the Tampa show. Not sure it will happen now with the weather. Fred G. a table holder at the show is also a good reference on Nanban tsuba.

[b.hennick]

Mike Christinson has many on his table in Tampa.

[Soshin]

Hi Barry H.,

 

Good idea in years passed he has had a good collection as well. Looking at show layout yesterday his table is near Curran's table this year. I will sure take some time to look today or tomorrow.