Bronze Sculpture

[Kanenaga]

I could use some help with a signature. I recently acquired a nihonto-related bronze sculpture which bears this signature:

 

I make it to be Kiyoteru Saku. Is this correct? Might there be an alternative reading?

 

Does anyone know anything about the artist?

 

All input appreciated.

[uwe]

Your reading is correct, Les (清照作)!
Can’t help with the artist, sry…but what about a picture of the sculpture?!

[Matsunoki]

The only entry in Haynes for Kiyoteru……not likely to be him.

Love to see the bronze….might be able to say more.

 

[Bugyotsuji]

A Nihonto-related bronze?
(The Teru character is slightly different from the one in Colin’s link.)

[Bugyotsuji]

https://ginza.choshu...2/17_tb_kiyoteru.htm

 

Yoshida Kiyoteru made tsuba.

[Kanenaga]

Thank you Uwe, Colin and Piers.

I tend to doubt it's the same guy. The teru kanji is different, as Piers noted. The time period could possibly fit, though I think this is later, ie, Meiji-Taisho.

I checked the metalworkers section of Self&Hirose (my signature bible) and there is no such listing.

I'll take some photos of the bronze. You will see that it could hardly be more nihonto-related.

[Kanenaga]

I hope these photos show well, it's all black.

It's 13 inches tall by 8 inches at the circular base.

Comments?

 

[John C]

4 hours ago, Kanenaga said:

Comments?

He was apparently a smoker. I like the tobako-ire sagemono with kiseru and classic manju netsuke. Very cool statue.

 

John C.

[Bugyotsuji]

The tongs let us know the piece is hot, but he is wearing such light clothing! If you have no other information about him, we are left to speculate whether he is a katana-kaji, or a general no-kaji. Does the length of the nakago offer us a hint?

 

The tabako-ire sagemono set is marvellous in its detail, as John says, among other things. A nice find, with plenty to enjoy.

[Matsunoki]

Difficult to date this. The integral (?)  and heavy looking flat bronze base is not at all the style usually seen in Meiji. As bronzes like this were not made before Meiji it is fair to assume it is later and by an (as yet) unknown artist taking his inspiration from earlier Miyao/Gyokko etc. Unlikely to be Taisho as the style and subject matter of metalwork changed significantly so I’d go early Showa. One thing to look for when judging quality is the detail in the feet/toes and the fingers. 
Is the flat  base integral to the bronze and does it feel heavy/solid rather than hollow cast?

[Kanenaga]

In the photos, the sculpture sits on a wood stand which came with it (FWIW) and which needs some TLC. The base is about 3/8 inch high and open underneath, and fixed to the figure with two rivets. The whole things is quite heavy for its size, but I expect the figure is hollow. The sword has a shinogi line, no sori (yet?), no ana (yet), and a short nakago with a kengyo jiri. 

What is a "general no-kaji" ?

[Matsunoki]

The more I look the more I wonder if that round bronze base is original? The way his anvil overhangs the edge is somewhat awkward. It would look really much better (imo) on a wooden stand as used by Gyokko/Miyao

Does it look as,if the rivets would come out? I’m guessing the anvil and the figure are separate castings?

Is the signature on the figure or stand? 

This is what it reminds me of …..I think it’s aesthetics could be hugely enhanced….

but just my opinion. The wood stands do sometimes crop up even on eBay!

 

[Matsunoki]

I’ve had some luck with this seller on eBay….if you fancy changing the stand. Check the sizes…don’t go too big.

or…..just put “kadai” into eBay.com search.

https://www.ebay.com...ic&_oac=1&_nkw=kadai

 

[Kanenaga]

Appreciate your comments, Colin.

The base and anvil are one piece. And the signature is on the base. So I think all original.

But I agree a new stand may be in order, so I'll be on the lookout.

 

BTW, that figure is quite lovely. Yours?

And what is  Gyokko/Miyao ?

[Matsunoki]

Hi Les

I’d agree all original but still a bit unusual! 
Gyokko and Miyao are two studious who produced the very best figural okimono during Meiji. Their output included plain bronze and also partially gilded items. The tsuba maker I illustrated is by Miyao but this particular one isn’t mine. I knew where it was so could use the image quickly. I’ve had quite a few over the years. In concept, you can see clear comparisons to yours. 
However during Meiji it was common for some studios to produce work almost on a sub-contract basis (anything to make money!) and if we ignore the unusual round base, your smith could easily be such a piece perhaps cast by Gyokko and sold to/finished by a smaller studio.

There are almost no extant records for what went on during the hectic Meiji period, so sometimes we have to go with best guess.

Either way yours is a nice okimono, not the very best but a great subject well depicted.

A nicer stand will help it a lot.