Imaginary gathering of fitting makers

[Okan]

From Met Museums Facebook post:

 

In this print, Kitao Shigemasa (北尾重政, 1739–1820), an artist of the ukiyo-e genre (known for woodblock prints and paintings), portrays twenty-eight of the most influential sword-fitting makers of the Edo period (1615–1868). Sitting at the top of this imaginary gathering is Yokoya Somin (横谷宗珉, 1670–1733), who is celebrated for his role as initiator of a movement that ushered in a renaissance of the craft. The way Somin is highlighted in terms of position, size, and frontal view, with the other artists arranged in a circle, can be interpreted as an allusion to spiritual mandalas that feature buddhas and bodhisattvas.

 

Loved it.

 

 

[Spartancrest]

Okan, I took the liberty some time back to "clean the image" as much as possible - boy I wish they had not folded the original! There is a plate in the back of B. W. Robinsons book. 

[Okan]

36 minutes ago, Spartancrest said:

Okan, I took the liberty some time back to "clean the image" as much as possible - boy I wish they had not folded the original! Thee is a plate in the back of B. W. Robinsons book. 

 

Ah, nice one Dale thanks a lot!

 

 

[Spartancrest]

Work this one out if you can - the original print is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art  - listed as under copyright restriction on one link and Public domain on another? What happens can you be half sued?

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/855670  - can't use "rights restricted"

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/56927 - can use public domain.

 

Perhaps someone should let them know - not me!

[Bugyotsuji]

Wow you can just about read all their Go and parts of their real names, other info etc.!

[Spartancrest]

Piers, here is the list according to Robinson. Sorry it is not a PDF.

 

[Akitombo]

I wonder what the list would look like if it was for iron tsuba?

[Ford Hallam]

Here you go, a copy of the original print. Double click for a full size image

 

[Spartancrest]

Great Ford - and no water damage and fewer creases - I might have a play with this image and bring it out a bit more. Mulberry paper is a little dark for me! 

[Spartancrest]

Too bright?

[kissakai]

I would try a white background as it is less distracting

 

[Bugyotsuji]

How’s this? Probably clickable again.

 

 

 

 

[Ian B3HR2UH]

For what it is worth , I thought the background on Okan's was best .

Ian brooks

[Spartancrest]

One last try with a lighter background - you start to lose detail at some point. 

Ian I would go with Fords image, less damage and fewer creases - but hey I might get half sued. 

[Ford Hallam]

While digging though old files I just found this caption I wrote up some years ago to accompany the print. For what it's worth... 

 

The original was designed by Kitao Kōsuisai (Shigemasa) and is named Sankō ni-ju-hachi Kishō.

 

The artists shown are, from top centre and going clockwise

 

Yokoya Sōmin (1670 ~ 1733)

Tsu Jimpo (1721 ~ 1762)

Nomura Tomoyoshi

Ozaki Naomasa , with spectacles (d.1782)

Ichinomiya Nagatsune (1722 ~ 1786)

Tsuchiya Yasuchika I , examining a kozuka and also wearing spectacles (1670 ~ 1744)

Yoshioka Buzen (no Suke Shigehiro) (d.1753)

Hamano Masayuki, pointing discreetly at a banana peel. (1696~1769)

Hamano Noriyuki ((d.1787)

Then, in the green Haori and resting his chin on his hand is,

Iwamoto Ryōkwan (teacher of the more famous Konkwan)

to the right of him and speaking over the shoulder of the man in front is ,

Furukawa Genchin

The older gentleman at bottom far right is,

Umetada Naritsugu (1678~1752)

next to him, and holding his haori-himo in his hands is,

Hosono Sōzaemon (Masamori) (c.1700)

In the yellow haori with green number 'two's" is,

Nara Masanaga

slightly behind him, holding a fan (?) and in the bottom centre is,

Ishiyama Mototada (1669~1734)

just behind Mototada and to his left is,

Nara Sōyō (Toshiharu)

In front of Sōyō, in a striped haori and wearing a head scarf is,

Nara Toshimitsu

Behind him and leaning slightly backwards is Nara Tsuneshige.

 

Behind Tsuneshige we have Goto Seijō, in a green kimono.

 

Above Nara Tsuneshige and Goto Seijō,, holding an opened fan is Mito Michinaga (d. 1768)

 

Next up is,

Murakami Jōchiku, the name plate only reads Jōchiku but I never forget a face. Incidentally two of his daughters were tsuba-shi also, Jōsui and Jōtetsu.

 

Behind Jōchiku and wearing a yellow haori is Ōmori Terumasa (1705~1772)

 

To the left and just above Terumasa we have Inagawa Naokatsu (1719~1761)

 

To the right of Naokatsu and looking off to his right is Yanagawa Naomasa (1692~1757) 

 

Above him and facing us directly is Yokoya Sōyo II (third Yokoya master) (d.1779)

 

Behind him, and sporting two swords, is Sugiura Joi (1700~1761) 

 

Behind him, and with what looks to be a Tachi, is, Hashinobe Masasada

 

and lastly but certainly not least, the grand old master, Nara Toshinaga (1670~1733) 

[Okan]

Thank you for sharing @Ford Hallam