New Kozuka

[Henry Wilson]

I bought this at the DTI last month and have only been able to get good pics this weekend.

 

I think it is of the Hamano school and it depicts a boat ferrying people across a lake or a river. There are about 60 people in the boat from all walks of life and I find it very interesting to study. The material appears to be shibuichi with gold highlights and and the kebori is simple but effective. There is a "find Wallie" theme going on with it, don't you think?

 

Any comments, corrections and additional information would most welcome.

[Brian]

Henry,

I love it, and I think there is a staggering amount of work there to capture all of those individual characters, each looking like they have their own personality. The work on the boat and waves is also nicely done. I can see why you bought it. Certainly very unique, and a relief to find you won't see many copies of it floating around :lol:

No idea on school, but the condition of the face is almost perfect. I wonder if it depicts any single event or theme?

Nice buy there!

 

Brian

[Henry Wilson]

Thanks Brian. I showed it to you at the meal after the DTI if you recall.

 

The condition is pretty much perfect but there is slight discolouring at the front end where the thumb is used to draw it from the sheath. It is not at all noticeable and only proves it has been worn / mounted

[Brian]

Either I was very very drunk, or I am losing my mind. Probably both :lol:

Don't remember seeing it at all, but there was a lot going on that night.

I will post some pics and write-ups of the trip in a few days. Just have to worry about who minds posted pics of themselves and who doesn't :D

 

Brian

[Stephen]

Im sure nobody will pick out the story behind this, from a poem? i count 52 persons from one side and fifty one the first i went accross,

 

How many do you count?

[Rich Thomas]

i count 52 persons from one side and fifty one the first i went accross,

 

How many do you count?

 

Henry, V nice!

 

Stephen, I count 54 plus a baby..... no 57 plus a baby....damn wish I never started

Rich Thomas

[John A Stuart]

55. Big and small. Lovely kozuka. I know Hamano school loved boats and water fowl as themes. Boatmen seen sometimes as well. First time I've seen such a boatload. As well kebori seems to be one of their techniques. Good pick. John

[Henry Wilson]

Correction

 

Some one brought to my attention an error. The kozuka is not by Hamano but Hosono 細野. I got my kanji readings mixed up.

 

The only reference I have for Hosono Masamori is a black and white picture of a tsuba which I am using as my base and it has a similar style and theme of a group of men and women but they are farming and looks like they are preparing a rice harvest.

 

From a quick look in Nihonto Koza the theme of my kozuka is called noriabune (ferry boat) and is fairly typical of the school

[Brian]

Henry,

Am I missing a mei here somewhere, or is the attribution on the box or origami?

 

Brian

[Brian]

Quite a few items if you google Hosono Sozaemon Masamori including a British Museum piece that sounds exactly like yours (no pics though)

There is also this tsuba: http://www.trocadero.com/momirudo/items ... .html#item

Well known maker, and fits yours perfectly. I'm really starting to hate Jstor and Invaluable.com though. Pay a fortune to see prices and other info.

 

Brian

[John A Stuart]

Henry, Some info on Hosono school. Founded in the 18th century by Hosono Masamori known as Sasaemon. Renowned for flat inlay of pictures showing crowds of people on landscapes. Each person being distinct and different. Apparently very much copied. He is noted as coming from Yamashiro no Kuni and lived in Kyoto. John

[Guido]

Henry, not only a very nice Kozuka, you also got it for an obscenely low price! I remember that the dealer promised you it'll paper to Hosono, and I'm pretty sure of that, too.

 

And "no", I even didn't start counting ... :lol:

[docliss]

I agree that this is typical of the work of Hosono Masamori (H 04224.0), but of a better standard than is normally seen. Most of his work is in this kebori-zōgan technique, and normally depicts minute landscapes with tiny figures engaged in various occupations; Henry’s is far more virtuotic.

 

There is a very large body of this artist’s work, and he had many assistants and students working with him, all of whom signed his mei. Their work is of variable quality, and Henry’s may, perhaps, be by the master himself?

 

John L.

[Stephen]

up to 56 with child, sorry if this is a distraction, I find this kozuka very intriguing and each figure tells a story.

[Bungo]

 

nice koz.

 

milt

[Henry Wilson]

Brian wrote:

 

Am I missing a mei here somewhere, or is the attribution on the box or origami?

No mei on the item, I mean I miss read the the kanji on the reference source I am using.

 

Stephen wrote

up to 56 with child, sorry if this is a distraction, I find this kozuka very intriguing and each figure tells a story.

The hard part is that a few people have their backs turned!!!

 

Thanks John for the info on the Hamano school

 

Thanks Guido for your help at the time and thanks everyone for their kind words