Impulsive Acquisition Higo Nishigaki? An Attempt To Develop A Taste For Tetsu Tsuba

[zanilu]

Dear All

 

In the attempt to develop a taste for iron only tsuba I bought this one one on Yahoo Japan. 

Dimension are: 77.4 mm x 70.2 mm, thickness at mimi 3.9 mm at seppa dai 4.4 mm

 

 

It was really an impulsive acquisition since I do not know much about testu tsuba, my main line of study right now is heianjo zogan. 

I liked the layered appearance of the rim (can it be classified as tekkotsu?) and the way the veins of the leaves are rendered.

 

It looks like Higo Nishigaki Kanshiro. The  Pawlonia seen through a window desing seems to be typical of Nishigaki Kanshiro at least according to Tosogu Classroom volume 2.

 

I would be grateful if you will share with me your opinion about this tsuba.

Is it really a Nishigaki Kanshiro or just a shiiremoono Higo or just bad copy?

How will will you describe it, which are its strong and weak points?

 

Best Regards

Luca

[Surfson]

Hmmm.  I'm not sure if you want to be scolded or praised!  I'm not an expert by any stretch, but my impression is that it has some nice art and some areas where the iron is appealing.  On the downside, it has been neglected for long periods in its life and has a lot of rust damage that has been addressed but has left many permanent and disfiguring scars.  I suppose it depends on how much you paid for it whether you can study and enjoy it and when finished move it on while getting your investment back out of it.  

[seattle1]

Hello:

 Opinions of kodogu out of hand is no more reliable than swords out of hand, but for a quick look I very much doubt the carefless effects  seen on the rim would be that of any Higo master. Further study of the kozuka-hitsu shows what looks like a space for a now missing insert to protect the kozuka, but how would it have been held in as only one side looks up to that? Further the strange buds or whatever they might be within the hitsu only pose a scratching threat to any kozuka slide into that space. To me it is a sort of pastiche and done very very late and not by a Higo artist. I could also be entirely wrong!

 Arnold F.

[Curran]

Hi Luca,

 

Given the evenness of the patina over what appear to be blisters, former rust divots, etc.,

I openly wonder if the damage was not removed with some degree of strong force and then re-patinated?

 

I wouldn't commit to any kantei opinion or say much about it, as I think it fairly altered from its original existence. Think of it as a restored car? The level and skill of restoration varies.

There are things that could be observed from it, but dissecting and talking between its original form vs the altered current state is a bit of juggling knives. It would be easy to say one thing and have others grab the wrong conclusion from it. I've made my fair share of 'wrong observations' along the years, and wish I could go back and edit some of my own posts from 7, 8, 10, 11 years ago along the learning curve.

[TETSUGENDO]

 

I wouldn't commit to any kantei opinion or say much about it, as I think it fairly altered from its original existence.

 

 

Agreed, the original surface appears substantially obliterated, not unlike the results of "homemade" plastic surgery, the patient is now maimed and disfigured.

 

-S-

[zanilu]

Than you all for your replies

I was looking for onest opinion and I got them.

As written in the title I am trying to develop a taste for testu only tsuba and bitter morsels are part of the learning process...

At least now I know what to avoid.

I got it relatively cheap and I learned something and that in the end that is fine

 

Regard

[Curran]

Luca,

 

It is a shame, because there is much to appreciate seeing a good iron Nishigaki, Jingo, and Hayashi side by side. A baseline tsuba on the table also helps frame it all.

Part of it is the different approaches to the working of the iron by various artists. In each line, there are certain generations that I particularly enjoy.

 

This doesn't mean they all have something to appreciate, as even highly regarded makers have off days and underwhelming examples.

[Bazza]

Luca said "bitter morsels are part of the learning process..."

 

A very apt phrase that any longer-experienced collector recognises instantly...

 

BaZZa.

[zanilu]

This was a digression basically.

My personal taste leans more on Heinajo Zogan, Onin and Kaga Yoshiro so my study is leaning in that direction right now.

If I will ever start collecting tetsu tsuba I need a lot more of preparatory study in that direction (I will put all Sasano books on my reading list for a more throughout reread!  ). 

Than you all for your opinions.

 

Luca

[ROKUJURO]

Luca,

I am not at all a HIGO expert, but when I compared your TSUBA photos to those I have seen from that school (mostly pictures), I find that on your TSUBA the design elements like the veining on the leaves are standing out boldly from etching, while on most other NISHIGAKI TSUBA they are executed as tiny grooves made with a chisel.

Even more, the whole TSUBA has been quite clearly etched heavily which shows everywhere on the MIMI and in the layering. The experts here on the board didn't mention that so it might be a common HIGO feature, but new to me. 

[lotus]

Just for comparison purposes. Attached is a papered Nishigaki from the Japanese auctions. Perhaps not the best picture but I don't see much detail in the leaf.