A tsuba by Tanaka Toshinori ...

[docliss]

Together with my seasonal greetings to all members, I am attaching apposite images of a wakizashi tsuba of jewel-like quality by Tanaka Toshinori (1830 – 1897). Measuring 6.7 cm – 6.1 cm, with a polished, silver ishime surface reminiscent of snow, and a shakudō fukurin, it depicts in high relief a shibuichi straw bag filled with namaguri, some of which have escaped through its meshes. In gold, ‘grass’ characters is inlaid ‘First Snow on the Sumidagawa’, while on the reverse is similarly written the haiku ‘Let us go and see the snow, even if we fall in our haste’, together with the poet’s name. The artist’s gō, Ryūseimin, is engraved upon a shakudō plate on the seppadai. There is a single, asymmetrical hitsu-ana, and silver sekigane in the nakago-hitsu.

 

The river Sumida, which runs through Tokyo, is renowned for the clams found in the mud of its banks. Residents from the area used to visit the Sumidagawa in order to view the first fall of snow and to partake of the delicacy.

 

Ex Behrens and Gilbertson collections.

Compare with tsuba no 219 on p. 254 of Ogawa’s Boston catalogue.

Ref. Haynes’ Index, H 10531.0, p. 2065.

...... Bauer Collection, # 633, p. 440.

 

Regards, John L.

[Michel D]

Hi all

 

I am fond of Toryusai style and this Tanaka is gorgeous..Congratulations!

I do not know the name of the suface treatment (I am not sure of "ishime") which emulates the old leather, typical on many Tanaka tsubas; does somebody know?

BTW, I am not at home at present time and far away from the heavy MFA Boston /Ogawa's reference but as far I remenber, the tsuba your refer to shows an egret and a crow and displays a haiku. I own a Nara tsuba with the same theme (no haiku). Does anyone know the legend/tale associated with an agret and crow?

I wished more Tanaka were proposed on the market, but so far, to no avail!

 

Regards

[Brian]

Dr L,

 

Although I can't add anything of value to the discussion of this one, I can tell you I think it is wonderful. Truly a great tsuba. Even the asymmetrical shape adds a rustic feeling that ties in with the theme.

A piece to be proud of

 

Brian

 

Edit to add: You know you are a Nihonto nut, when that Xmas wreath on the card in the pics starts to look like a tsuba too :D

[docliss]

Dear Michael

 

The Boston tsuba is described as 'a pair of birds perched on the trunk of (a) willow', and these both appear to be crows. There are, of course, a number of legends associated with crows but I, personally, know of none associated with an egret/crow combination.

 

Regards, John L.

[Curran]

Very nice. Thank you for sharing.

[Michel D]

Hello Dr

 

Finally back home..; and better to discuss with the pictures under the eyes!

To me, the Boston museum tsuba you refer to (# 11.11204 page 254 of the book) clearly shows an egret (or a heron) and a crow perched on a willow trunk. Anyway, this tsuba and yours are quite gorgeous and I wish..

This is an opportunity to write a new post on egret and crow subject: I am looking for the stuff!

 

Sincerely

[docliss]

Dear Michael

 

I believe that I owe you an apology. My wife, who is a bit of an expert on birds - and whose vision is clearly a bit better than mine - tells me that the bird at the back is probably a heron, with the plume. She's not impressed by the 'crow', at the front, and suspects that it may be a duck!

 

Regards, John.