Art Of The Samurai Seminar, Sedona, Arizona

[Steve Waszak]

I would like to announce that there will be an “Art of the Samurai” seminar held in Sedona, Arizona on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of November, with the 16th and 20th being travel days to and from Sedona.  The seminar will be focused on the intersection of and/or “dialogue” between samurai sword guards and Tea ceramics in the Momoyama and early Edo Periods.  The agenda will concentrate on the following areas:

1.  The origins of sukashi tsuba
2.  Anonymous masters of steel sukashi tsuba
3.  The influence of Hosokawa Tadaoki (Daimyo of Higo Province)
4.  A close study of the master tsubako Hirata Hikozo
5.  A close study of Bizen ceramics
6.  The role of Namban ceramics
7.  The influence of the Tea Master, Kobori Enshu

As the seminar will be fairly tightly focused on Momoyama and early-Edo aesthetics as manifested in high-level tsuba and Tea ceramics, it does assume a certain level of experience and learning in this subject matter.  Expertise is not a requirement for attending; however, there will not be any time spent introducing the basics of the Japanese Sword Guard.  Some familiarity with the history and culture of Momoyama and early-Edo Japan would be beneficial.    

Additionally, the talks comprising the seminar will often be questioning or challenging certain traditionally accepted/understood ideas pertaining to the subject area. Included here is the notion of tsuba “schools,” the reliance on papers, and “Sasano-ism” (the theories and viewpoints put forth by Sasano Masayuki).  For those who are uncomfortable with the “interrogation” of these, the symposium may not be a comfortable experience, and therefore not a suitable event to attend.  If, on the other hand, one is open to and eager for what such pointed inquiries may yield, the event will prove very valuable.  

There are currently only three openings left for this seminar.  It is just two months away, and given the need to book flights and accommodations early, any who are seriously interested and ready to commit to attending should act sooner rather than later.  

Please contact me with any questions you may have. 

 

Cheers,

 

Steve

[Fuuten]

I'm tempted to come over

 

Especially alluring are the tea ceramics. Any chance there will be photo's made (and then shared here)?

[Steve Waszak]

Hi Axel,

 

Yes, there will be quite a sharp focus on the intersection between Tea ceramics and tsuba, as well as on the aesthetic concepts and sensibilities at play in both.  Sorry the seminar is so far from you!  Not sure yet about photo opportunities...

 

Cheers,

 

Steve

[Steve Waszak]

Bump.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Arizona is our old stomping grounds, Steve. Wife & I grew up in Phoenix. Wonder why Sedona was chosen?

[Steve Waszak]

Hi Ken,

 

Well, a few reasons.  First, it's a gorgeous place to visit, and is especially so in mid-Autumn.  Next, for the five of us currently signed up to attend, it is relatively centrally/conveniently located.  Bruce Kirkpatrick will be guiding the proceedings; he lives in Sedona, so that certainly contributes to the reason.  He has some rather fantastic Momoyama Period ceramics that wouldn't travel very well, so it's easier for us to come to him.  This affords the rest of us an opportunity to see pieces that would be hard to look at, never mind handle, anywhere else.  It will be a very intensive learning environment, that's for sure. 

 

Cheers,

 

Steve