Help With GOTO KOZUKA and Fittings

[shan]

Hello Learned people,

I wonder if i might get some assistance with this Kozuka i have.

Its signed Go-To-?-Jo-Kao and i am note sure what the 3rd character is or its rough date.Is it mainline?

Its topic is of Kanyu with Halberd(?) and the Fuchi Kashira are of Flowers and butterflies,Menuki is of "a witch on a broomstick"? all are by the same artist.

Came with a mini 25.5cm Katana proportioned sword of Shinogi Zukuri,Midare hamon,Yokote,etc ( if you saw an image, without knowing its size you woud believe it was a katana or wakizashi)A perfect mini sword.

Came with Darkest Brown/black laquer mounts with very very tiny coloured glitter chips embedded.smallish Mokko Gatu tsuba.

I hope someone can help me with these items

[Ludolf Richter]

Hi Shan,the Mei reads Goto Denjo.He was the fourth master of the Kibei Goto line.He lived and worked at Kyoto and died in 1712.Haynes H 00391.Mei and Kao differ from my examples:Gimei?Ludolf

[shan]

Hi Ludolf,

Thankyou for that i was having trouble with that one.

I had compared it to a couple of other Goto items in auction catologues like the Monzino collection and other useful sources and the Koa and written Goto look very like the signature of a slightly later Goto craftsman.I had heard that the early Goto masters did not sign their work, but that it was signed by later goto family members and craftsmen.Perhaps you have an example (or someone can find a similarity) to a particular Goto members Kao and handwriting that may shed some light on this.I will try to find the one i have and see how similar it is to my ones script.I will scan it in and let you see it if its similar.

Thanks for the input so far its near impossible to find info on the internet with signature examples.

Regards

Shan

[shan]

Hi Again,

I have had a look and the Go-to and Jo-Kao of this Monzino tsuba looks remarkably like the Mei of the Kozuka (bar the first part of the name of the craftsman).

I would really like some opinions as to whether this mei on my kozuka is a good mei or Gimei.

Many thanks

shan

[nagamaki - Franco]

for what it's worth, http://www.jp-sword.com/files/tsuba/denjo.html

[Brian]

Shan,

As Franco is pointing out, compare the workmanship first, and if it really is Goto workmanship, then you can look closer at the mei. Many Goto signatures are gimei. Of course the kogatana is irrelevant here, as the signatures on them are mostly insignificant. The kozuka mei does look gimei, but that doesn't mean it is a badly made one at all. Check if it is Goto style and class, and then go to the mei afterwards. Lots of lovely gimei fittings out there.

 

Brian

[shan]

Thanks for the link Franco,

I had seen that fantastic set of fittings and agree that the mei is different but then thats a very different class of fitting to what i have being solid gold menuki and so on so the artist may well have signed it himself.I will show you the Kozuka and let a more learned person decide if it is Goto or not as it is far to subtle a field for me to judge.I think the Tsuba Mei i recently posted is very similar but perhaps they all are, gimei or not.

I understand what you are saying Brian about juging the workmanship, but i have no experience of these items so cannot decide what is "right" or "wrong" about the items.

Have alook at the whole Kozuka and tell me what you think.

Regards

Shan

 

 

[Ludolf Richter]

Your examle on the left and right side of the original one is not from Goto Denjo but Goto Kanjo!I have put together some authentic Mei pics from Denjo and one from Kanjo.Ludolf

[Brian]

Shan,

Goto work is among the highest class of work there is. Looking at Franco's pic..you should see that kind of workmanship on all Goto works. Near perfection, with lots of detail and fine carving. Deep lustre shakudo and perfect nanako. If you don't see that, you should already be doubting any Goto mei. Afraid yours doesn't give that feeling at all, and I would have to assume gimei without even looking closer at the mei.

 

Brian

 

Edit to add: You say it came with a miniature katana of 25cm. is the kozuka and kogatana full size, or are they scaled down to the same scale as the sword? Hard to judge size from the pics, and if they are indeed miniature, then maybe we have something else to think about here. If full size, i go with my comments above.

[shan]

Hi Ludolf,

Yes i know the tsuba is Kanjo,the comparison was the Go-to and the Jo- Kao which i felt were very similar to mine in style and application.

I see that its not signed with the same hand as the mei you have supplied so can only assume that it is indeed gimei and with brian additional comment that now make perfect scense to me.I am sorry if i appear confrontational but i have to understand how someone reaches a conclusion so as to learn by it (posative or negative),If i just accepted an opinion without looking for a reason.......I would never learn.

I would be a poor student if i did not ask questions

regard

shan

[shan]

Thankyou all for your assistance with this item.

You have been a great help to me.

Please have a look at the other 5 Kozuka i listed and give me an opinion on them if you can,I promise not to question your findings

For the Oni in clouds kozuka,Might i sugest Goto joshin the 4th mainline master as the style and theme is very like his,Classic and minimalist.

Kindest regards

Shan