namban ot hizen ?

[Bungo]

snipers fell asleep and I got this from ole po at a reasonable price ( with old teaser bid ).

Suppose to be 8.4 x 8 cm, so a big one.

Question.......... namban or Hizen ?

 

milt

[docliss]

Dear Milt

 

You ask ‘Namban or Hizen’ of your recently acquired tsuba, and it is not an easy question to answer. Certainly, with its karakusa type openwork and undercutting, it displays one of the defining characteristics of Namban work, but this is very simplistic in execution. Also, the presence of cartouches to enclose the shishi at the top and bottom, and the simple, rounded rim are not characteristic of Namban work. Neither have I before seen Shishi featuring on work by this group.

 

In conclusion, I think that your tsuba demonstrates features of both groups, and which you favour must be a matter of opinion. I, however, would say 'Hizen' without very much hesitation.

 

Regards, John L.

[Bungo]

John et al,

received tsuba from ole po...........

box says Namban.

 

p.s. workmanship is quite good, all the cross over vines are separated

milt

[docliss]

Dear Milt

 

I agree that your tsuba is of quite good workmanship; the karakus-moyÅ is skillfully carved and the nunome-zÅgan on the shishi is of good quality. As I suggested in my earlier message, one could make a reasonable case for calling your tsuba Namban. But I resolutely stick to my Hizen attribution, albeit demonstrating a strong Namban influence. The presence of what appear to be original hitsu-ana, together with measurements of 8.4 cm – 8.0 cm — which place it well outside the normal range of Namban tsuba — both reinforce my opinion.

 

Regards, John L.

[Bugyotsuji]

No right to say anything regarding your question, Milt, but quite an impressive tsuba you have there. Congratulations.

 

Feeling-wise, I tend to side with John L.

[Bungo]

thanks guys,

I tend to think it's a Hizen too but have seen similar ones papered to Namban.

p.s. this one has no shinsa paper, just writing on the box

 

milt

[Bugyotsuji]

Hmmm... the writing on the box does seem to correspond with the tsuba, but you cannot rule out the possibility that it's describing a different one. Unlikely, I agree.