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Double walled fuchi?

mas4t0

By mas4t0
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mas4t0 Mentor

mas4t0

Posted
Posted

Hello,

 

I notice that on some aikuchi tanto mounts, the fuchi is created such that there is a ledge between the edge of the fuchi and the face.

 

I can't describe it well, so I've attached images.

 

Any information or details on proper terminology (to facilitate further research) would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you.

 

 

Mark

 

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  • Like 1
Curran Grand Master

Curran

Posted
Posted

nice Hagia Katsuhira fuchi too.  In the Walter's Art Museum if memory serves.

+1.  I'd never seen that one before now.

That is one to look at for quite a while.

  • Like 1
mas4t0 Mentor

mas4t0

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thank you all very much.

 

That clarifies things. I've never seen this type of mount in hand.

 

To get complete clarity, are these mounted without seppa or is there extra 'reach' on the koiguchi to hide the seppa when the blade is sheathed?

 

They meet like on this example at the fuchi/ koiguchi, with no visible seppa?

 

*This is once again the work of Hagiya Katsuhira.

 

post-2248-0-37520500-1579468075_thumb.jpeg

 

post-2248-0-78205000-1579474135_thumb.jpg

  • Like 1
mas4t0 Mentor

mas4t0

Posted
  • Author
Posted

nice Hagia Katsuhira fuchi too. In the Walter's Art Museum if memory serves.

Yes, exactly. Both fuchi are by Katsuhira and both are in the Walter's Art Museum.

 

Ford,

Have you made fuchi/ koiguchi of this type?

Is it something you'd be open to in the future?

Hoshi Experienced

Hoshi

Posted
Posted

Doesn't look right. Too busy, and the representation of the theme doesn't fit the corpus either. It's a kitsch imitation designed to appeal to a wide audience going 'wow' and not knowing really better. 

 

I suspect a late Meiji workshop has been producing this one. Just like this one here and perhaps this one here. 

 

The F/K set by contrast is very elegant and beautifully carved. 

mas4t0 Mentor

mas4t0

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Doesn't look right. Too busy, and the representation of the theme doesn't fit the corpus either. It's a kitsch imitation designed to appeal to a wide audience going 'wow' and not knowing really better.

 

I suspect a late Meiji workshop has been producing this one. Just like this one here and perhaps this one here.

 

The F/K set by contrast is very elegant and beautifully carved.

 

I respectfully disagree.

 

I've not looked over the two links in great detail, but certainly the piece sold at Bonhams is of the finest quality.

 

I understand that it's not to everyone's taste, but I think your criticism is misplaced. Hagiya Katsuhira is one of the finest craftsmen of the Mito school, and I see no reason to doubt the attribution.

 

I've attached a close up of the dragon on the saya and of a dragon tsuba from Darcy's site. If there are imitations approaching this level of craftsman, I would appreciate any advice on where I can buy some.

 

post-2248-0-17758700-1579531543_thumb.jpg

 

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  • Like 3
Hoshi Experienced

Hoshi

Posted
Posted

The dragon passes the sniff test, it's the big cat which don't. 

 

These cats look much more modern than what would come out of his workshop in style and presentation, based on the (arguably limited) corpus of his work with which I am familiar which are in the Juyo volumes. Here is another fake piece sold not too long ago. Now the style of cats here work, but the quality and composition are low. 

 

Now I could be mistaken and Katsuhira opted for a completely different style of cats at some point in his career...

 

image0.png

mas4t0 Mentor

mas4t0

Posted
  • Author
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Hi Chris,

 

I don't know about the origin of the style, but the craftsmanship speaks for itself.

 

I'm hoping that Ford will see this part of the discussion and explain what we're seeing.

  • Like 2
Hoshi Experienced

Hoshi

Posted
Posted

Here is the one tanto koshirae which is juyo from him. I am arguably biased from that singular example, and there is a variety of styles he worked with. My worries reside entirely in the expression of the tigers (more westernized, less Japanese) and composition (very heavy even for him) not with the workmanship which I agree is commensurate, at least based on the photos we have at our disposal.

 

I am sure that in hand we could discern much more (e.g. are those strips inlays or not?)

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  • Like 1
Ford Hallam Grand Master

Ford Hallam

Posted
Posted

Mark, yes, I have actually made aikuchi fittings before. I quite enjoy the technical aspect of getting it all to fit snug and cleanly.

 

With regard to Katsuhira and his style I'd offer that his earlier work is pretty similar to classic Mito design, and I'd even say his workmanship is a little generic at times, but as he matures he really does push the boundaries of his own expression, both in terms of his actual designs and workmanship. These very sculptural fuchi, and particularly the kashira, are a good case in point. 

Personally I don't have an issue with any of the examples linked to except perhaps the silver pheasant ensemble. It's worth bearing in mind that Katsuhira, in the last decade or so of his life, was in fact working during that very turbulent period of transition and that his output did evolve rapidly at that time to meet the new tastes he must have been very aware of.  I've worked on obidome, boxes and vases by him.

 

His son, who followed him, simply couldn't match the old man's standards in any respect.

  • Like 4
terminus Community Regular

terminus

Posted
Posted

It was sold in auction at Bonhams a few years ago.

 

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21404/lot/1141/?category=list

 

Hagiya Katsuhira lived from 1804-1886, which would place his work as late Edo/ early Meiji.

Wow it sold for only 40k!? That's an insanely good price, I've seen tantos of that quality nowadays getting sold in the 6 figures range! Wish I was into fittings in 2013. 

 

Personally I think it's the real deal, work speaks for itself and the silver dragon is very Katsuhira-esque.

  • Like 1
mas4t0 Mentor

mas4t0

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Wow it sold for only 40k!? That's an insanely good price, I've seen tantos of that quality nowadays getting sold in the 6 figures range! Wish I was into fittings in 2013.

Personally I think it's the real deal, work speaks for itself and the silver dragon is very Katsuhira-esque.

I wish I wasn't still in school back in 2013...

This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one, unless your post is really relevant and adds to the topic..

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