Kasen Koshirae and a case of mistaken identity

[Ford Hallam]

This is the famous, and oft referred to, Kasen Koshirae. It was apparently created according to an order from Hosokawa Sansai (Hosokawa Tadaoki, 1563 ~1645)

 

 

It was he who was instrumental in establishing and nurturing the founding fathers of the Higo tradition of tsuba making. He was both a veteran warrior and one of Sen no Rikyu's leading students in the Way of Tea.

 

If you're interested to learn a little more about this remarkable man you'll find a concise account of his life here.

 

This is the tsuba mounted on the Kasen Koshirae. It's attributed to Shoami, Momoyama Period. The design is described as being butterflies.

 

As you might have been expecting, I beg to differ. :D Butterflies have short bodies and in Japanese art always have their antennae indicated as being characteristic of the insect, not their eyes. A quick google image search for "butterflies in Japanese Art" will confirm this. The insect that is frequently depicted on tosogu that does have highly noticeable eyes, and a long body, is the dragonfly. I suggest the pierced shapes on the tsuba actually represent the area the wings move in when in flight, appearing as a blur.

 

I should also note that the seppa-dai are on Higo tsuba are frequently a bit bigger than the seppa so that the eyes would be visible when mounted. The Namako tsuba attributed to Musashi also has an oversized seppa-dai. And Musashi ended his life as Tadaoki's guest....

[Adrian]

Thanks for sharing, a very nice tsuba indeed. I like it a lot.

 

In fact the whole koshirae has a very classy look, to say the least.

[Henry Wilson]

Hi Ford

 

Thank you for the very interesting post. The tsuba indeed looks more like dragonflies rather than butterflies, once it has been pointed out.

 

The close-up of the Kasen koshirae is very interesting. I have always wanted to see a picture of such an angle. I never knew the seppadai was larger than the seppa. I always thought the correct and proper way was a well fitting seppa to seppadai. A very interesting exception to that rule of thumb. (I am surprised no-one is saying that it is a mismatched tsuba added later by someone who doesn't know better. )

 

I wonder is such a seppa to seppadai arrangement the norm for all Kasen style koshirae that came after?

[Ford Hallam]

Henry,

 

Glad you enjoyed seeing it from a fresh perspective.

 

It seems to me these over sized seppadai might actually be a 'Higo' thing. Which suggests to me that this tsuba is early Higo rather than Shoami. In terms of the design it has a certain clever abstract quality that I associate with Hirata and Shimizu.

 

As for this particular case with the seppa-dai being oversized I think the fact that this allows for the eyes to be seen pretty much proves the point that it was deliberate.

[kaigunair]

Very interesting! I wish I had known more (and what to really examine) when to Hosokawa daimyo exhibit was in town a few years back.

What is the theme of the gold menuki?

[Henry Wilson]

Thanks again Ford.

 

Junichi,

The menuki are of sword-beans (natamame 鉈豆) and are made of pure gold in irebori.

I am posting from my iPhone so hope the picture is ok.

[Pete Klein]

All I can think of is a Goldfish.

[Henry Wilson]

Or a black and white fish.... :lol:

[BMarkhasin]

As I understand, the butterfly idea stems from seeing the design as including the double holes as part of the design, whereas they represent the two eyes of a butterfly, the septum between the sukashi as the thorax, and the sukashi as the wings. In this inclusive perspective, they can be seen as two stylized butterflies (if you squint and tilt your head just so...). The eyes should be uncovered, right at the periphery of the seppa when positioned properly. The menuki are a variety of pods (bean/pea).

 

these images come from the Sano Museum book Sukashi Tsuba: Swordguards with Openwork Design from Kofun to Edo Periods. A wonderful reference book.

Best,

Boris.

[kaigunair]

Thanks Henry for the pic and info. Much appreciated.