Kozuka By Teijo. Overpriced?

Timur · April 5, 2016

Hi everybody,

A question from a novice.

Could anybody enlighten me the reason of the price of 1.500.000 yen for this kodzuka by Teijo (without certificate) fetched recently on Japanese online auction?

Any idea what is written on the back?

Val

lonely panet · April 5, 2016

the owner really badly wanted it, and paid what he or she thought it was worth to them

Brian · April 5, 2016

Because if it's shoshin, that's what they go for?

Timur · April 5, 2016

I see your point guys.

Has anybody seen kozuka by Teijo signed on the front side? In gold? Without usual Goto reserve?

Pete Klein · April 5, 2016

http://page12.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/p510085737

http://page22.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/l345104071

http://page11.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n170401123

http://page19.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/x441749261

http://page12.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/p510238812

http://page6.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f174898298

http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r148694762

http://page15.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/t469579106

My question is, if one bidder consistently overbids everyone, Whi bother bidding at all?

PS: one person did: http://page22.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/l345195902

Now then. The above transactions all occurred Sunday morning (04/03/16) and all were won by the same individual, who has been winning multiple auctions for several months now with the exception of the last one which fell to someone else after about a two hour bidding war and is also the item mentioned in the above thread. I have never seen a kozuka 'signed' by Goto Teijo in gold on the omote and I have grave reservations about it's legitimacy. Mainline Goto did not advertise in this manner as they were carvers/assayers to the Shogunate and any such 'mei' would most probably be an attribution from someone else. I cannot read the ura and pehaps there is some reference there. From what I recall none of the above items have origami. To me, this is someone with a bit too much money aligned with a bit too much ego and pride making risky/poor decisions which reminds me of someone running for President here, but then I digress.

PS: there's a little pun included above for those who follow Yahoo!.

PPS: watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6bwyILxtYA

Timur · April 6, 2016

Thank you, Pete! And interesting investigation on Yahoo!

I wonder was it technically possible to add the gold signature after the kozuka was produced, or is it a part of the initial design?

Pete Klein · April 6, 2016

Of course it is possible. Ford could do it with his eyes closed.

Ford Hallam · April 20, 2016

I'm flattered by Pete's confidence in my abilities and while I'd agree that adding such a mei post production would be relatively straightforward I would have to keep at least one eye open.

More revealing, to me, is the poor quality of the nanako as shown on the close up of the flower, as well as the very weak carving of the veining on the lotus leaf. The flower itself is similarly rudimentary. No student of the Goto had anything at all to do with this kozuka.