dgut Posted January 26 Report Posted January 26 Hey Everyone, I am trying to get some info on this Tsuba I acquired at the Ueno Flea Market in Japan. The lady I bought it from couldn't speak English but she explained it was from the Edo Period and was 250 years old. Can anyone read the sides or what's on the box? Thanks! 3 1 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted January 26 Report Posted January 26 Yes, but not yet all of it perfectly. (Most unusual to have the story down the mimi sides.) 2 Quote
Matsunoki Posted January 26 Report Posted January 26 David, there is a translation section on this forum. I suggest you post it there…..you’ll have more luck…..that’s where the specialists reside! 1 Quote
dgut Posted January 26 Author Report Posted January 26 2 hours ago, Matsunoki said: David, there is a translation section on this forum. I suggest you post it there…..you’ll have more luck…..that’s where the specialists reside! Thank you! I'll post it there! Quote
dgut Posted January 26 Author Report Posted January 26 4 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said: Yes, but not yet all of it perfectly. (Most unusual to have the story down the mimi sides.) It's a story down the sides? That's cool! Thank you for sharing! Quote
dgut Posted January 27 Author Report Posted January 27 Update! Some fine people over at the translation section deciphered the characters I took that info and threw it into ChatGPT. this is what it spit out! What do you think? Certainly! Here’s a summary of the information related to the tsuba: Inscriptions: 1. “文政八乙酉三朝之内彫”: • Carved in the 8th year of Bunsei (1825), Year of the Wood Rooster, within three mornings. This likely refers to the date and efficiency with which the tsuba was crafted. 2. “光林五世嫡流”: • Indicates the craftsman is from the fifth generation of the direct lineage of Korin, possibly referring to Ogata Korin, a famous artist associated with the Rinpa school. 3. “大龍斎光興作”: • Made by Dairyuusai Mitsuoki, a craftsman known for his work in traditional sword fittings (tosogu), possibly of the Tosa school lineage. 4. “裏三保の松原”: • Likely refers to a design or motif depicting Miho no Matsubara, a scenic location in Japan, from a unique perspective (the “rear” or “reverse” view). Likely Artistic Influences: • The Tosa school or Rinpa school traditions are strongly suggested due to the references to Korin and Mitsuoki. • Korin (Ogata Korin) is associated with the Rinpa school, known for its elegant and nature-inspired motifs, which might influence the design. • The Bunsei era (1825) places the tsuba in the late Edo period, a time when various Edo-period schools of tsuba-making flourished. Conclusion: The tsuba likely comes from a craftsman influenced by the Rinpa or Tosa schools, blending traditional motifs and elegant craftsmanship with nature-inspired designs. The inscriptions suggest it was created by Dairyuusai Mitsuoki from a prestigious lineage, possibly signifying the first work of the New Year, and the theme could be related to famous Japanese landscapes. 2 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 What I honestly think is that even where it is ‘wrong’ in some detail, it gives you a hell of a lot of background information, plus a warm fuzzy feeling, as if that world is close and familiar. It also encourages further study in a positive way. 2 2 Quote
MauroP Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 On 1/27/2025 at 4:39 AM, dgut said: this is what it spit out! What do you think? Exactly what you said: ChatGPT spits suggestions (which is better than nothing...), but still far from reliable knowledge... 1 Quote
dgut Posted January 29 Author Report Posted January 29 I contacted the national museum of Tokyo. They sent me some interesting articles I’ve been translating. this article (I think) partly talks about the discovery of a tsuba with my exact inscriptions. Quote
dgut Posted January 29 Author Report Posted January 29 Here are all the articles. ①article : 大月光興小考 新出資料の紹介を兼ねて URL:www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/omhbull/3/0/3_0001/_article/-char/ja/ ②article：金工の書画 : 光興・一乗・夏雄 URL：cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1524232505144940672?lang=en ③book：鏨迺花 大月光興小伝、他 (←This material contains 光興's artworks, his son's and his disciples'.) URL：dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/854171 In addition, the Tsuba by Nakagami Motohiro, who studied under Otsuki Mitsuoki, is in our Museum collection. This can be viewed at the following site, so please take a look if you are interested. colbase.nich.go.jp/collection_items/tnm/F-20195?locale=ja Quote
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