Sosho kanji to determine on a Choshu tsuba

[Marc BROQUIN]

Hello,

I can't find the precise translation and even meaning of this right inscription on this tsuba.

Could you help me ?

Thanks

Marc

[reinhard]

Hi Marc,

 

The top two kanji on the right might be translated: HOGEN (high-ranking Buddhist priest). I don't have a clue about the next one though. BTW I think they are "regular" kanji, not Sosho-style.

 

reinhard

[Nobody]

This is only my guess as I am still unsure.

法眼洞春為 – For Hogen Toshun

 

There were several generations of Toshun, who were painters of Kanoha (狩野派). Hogen was also an honorable title for artists.

 

Kanoha: http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/k/kanouha.htm

[John A Stuart]

Beauty. I was wracking the books on this one too. So this tsuba is honouring Toshun's work and if we could see the whole thing (hint) it might be in the style of one of his paintings, eh? John

[reinhard]

There were several generations of Toshun, who were painters of Kanoha (狩野派).

 

I understand this MASATOMI was 6th generation of Choshu Okada-line, working around Bunka era. The Toshun artist, who is mentioned here, was probably a contemporary.

 

reinhard

[Nobody]

I understand this MASATOMI was 6th generation of Choshu Okada-line, working around Bunka era. The Toshun artist, who is mentioned here, was probably a contemporary.

Maybe, Kano Toshun (狩野洞春: 1747 - 1797), who was given Hogen in 1785.

Ref. http://www6.plala.or.jp/guti/cemetery/P ... u_dun.html

[Marc BROQUIN]

Thanks to all, particularly to Koichi San for this determination.

 

First of all I think that the first right kanji is really written in Sosho, in opposition with Reinhard. It is sufficient to compare this 法 with what is written on the tsuba. OK for the others they are regularly designed. It's why I was blocked.

 

I tried to find the 2 others : 洞 which was for me an other kanji KAWA and not TO, such as in KAWAJI and 春 HARU (read SHUN in some cases).

The reading for me was then KASHUN who is a tsubako present in the Church collection and living in HAGI, fitting well with the fact MASATOMi being from CHOSHU.

 

Finaly, the 5th right sign is certainly a kao. If this tsuba was for honouring the memory of TOSHUN or KASHUN, there wouldn't be a kao at this place, dont you think.

 

Some times tsuba were made by 2 people. Could this be the case ?

Toshun or Kashun for the design and Masatomi for the execution ?

 

I submit this approach to your discussion.

Best regards and thanks for your help.

Marc

[John A Stuart]

The 6th master of the Okada family, Masatomi is recorded as not using a kao/kakihan. Toshun was not a metalworker, so, don't know if it is a reproduction of one of his. You wouldn't think one would be engraved unless there was some personal involvement on the part of Toshun. John

[reinhard]

I think that the first right kanji is really written in Sosho

 

It is difficult to tell from this very small pic, but it looks more like some parts of a kanji missing than sosho-style writing; but I'm really no expert in this field.

 

quote:"Finaly, the 5th right sign is certainly a kao. If this tsuba was for honouring the memory of TOSHUN or KASHUN, there wouldn't be a kao at this place, dont you think."

 

This is why I think it was made by two CONTEMPORARY artists: MASATOMI making this tsuba using a design by TOSHUN as a blueprint and signing for both of them. Full mei seems to be made by one person. Joint works of painters and tsuba-ko are quite common during late Edo-period

 

reinhard

 

PS: slightly bigger and higher resolving pics would be useful