mild chicago show report

[tetsugendo11]

In my opinion, the 2010 chicago show was a success.Especially when considering the economy and the placement of a new location, the show was actually quite fun and enjoyable. I talked with many of the attendees, and all seemed to have a good time, both enjoying the show and the lectures. Many were looking foward to the SF show which should be a great event as usual, especially this year with the shinsa. My lecture seemed to be well recieved, and I thank all that attended. The subject was how to judge fittings as a shinsa team. This gave everyone a different view from the "good seats" by being the "judge" After which I gave out the results that the NBTHK or a well known sensei had attributed the piece to. Followed by an explanation of why the result was had. Also on display, were some very rare and excellent examples for appreciation whcih is the norm in Japan at a study group meeting. I will try to post some of the explanation sheets I made for everyone to use if they wish for study.The sheet for the Haruaki is already posted under the string for Haruaki

M. Yamasaki

[tetsugendo11]

[Pete Klein]

Mike -- I will second that most emphatically. We did all have a great time and BTW your 'Shinsa' was really enjoyed (especially by me as I got another chance to make an ass out of myself -- it happens at least once every time you do this... LOL!) I cannot say this enough or LOUDLY ENOUGH! You'all really need to attend these meetings as they truly are a great time and the best way in the USA to learn about this field. If at all possible get to the shows and you will not regret it -- I promise you!

 

PS: those fittings above were mind blowing! I cannot even begin to tell you how much I wanted the Musashi... Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! (lol)

[Henry Wilson]

I think that is about the third Musashi Miyamoto tsuba of near same theme that I have seen. Does anyone know how many of the same tsuba he made?

[myochin]

Hi Mike,

 

Was there a handout like the one you did for Machibori ?

 

Thanks.

Paul.

[bridgeofdreams]

Mike,

 

I'm sorry I missed your session on Saturday, but it was busy most of the day at my table selling books and I couldn't break away.

 

I'm glad to see the Musashi again, but the writeup still doesn't answer the question I asked you Friday night: What facts or observations lead to the conclusion that THIS tsuba was made by Musashi, unlike the many that are of the type and claim to be made by Musashi?

 

If there are kantei points for Musashi? I'm reading that the guard resembles Hikozo, who is said to be his teacher, and who might have made the ground metal, and that since Musashi was an amateur he likely had help making the rim. It's still all maybes and possiblys.

 

I was thinking that there might be provenance, which is relied on more and more to authenticate many kinds of art. I'm reminded of a 1st Jingo guard at the KTK in Tokyo in 2006, I think it belonged to Mr. Inada. Several of us questioned the attribution as it did not "look" like Jingo, and the reply was pretty much it had been in the same family since it was made. If documentation of that exists, that's the kind of attribution that can't be questioned.

 

Craig

[tetsugendo11]

as there was limited time, this time there were no study sheets, that is why I posted the kansho sheets for download for all. Usually these are reserved for NBTHKAB members only, but I made an exception this time.

Musashi: I was going to talk about the kantei points at the session, but we unfortunately ran out of time (we only had 1 hour but we went over....) So I am now thinking of doing something at the SF show, or possibly an article as between myself and my friend we have access to 3 Musashi pieces. Just for your personal knowledge Mr. Craig, the writeup wasn't supposed to cover the kantei points, just supply info for the kansho section of the lesson as an introduction about the tsuba. On the last trip to Japan, I spent an hour with a sensei from the NBTHK on the subject of Musashi, and it was quite interesting. If you have a different opinion about the Musashi tsuba that was displayed, I would be happy to hear your thoughts. And just for conversation sake I had bought the tsuba from someone (who of course shall be nameless) who had gotten it from one of the most famous fittings collectors who had gotten it apparently from someone associated with the Hosokawa. But if one studies hard enough, with a good teacher that knows the "key" points and history of the Higo kinko school, one can see the differences between the tsuba considered Musashi, and those that are considered copies or utsushimono. My Musashi menuki also came from old collection and Sato sensei did a hakogaki a long time ago, and they have 2 sets of papers as well. I have no question as to the authenticity of them - their expert opinion is more than good enough for me, as well as I know the provenance of the menuki as well.

mike

[bridgeofdreams]

Dear Mike,

 

Thanks for your explanation, I do regret missing the session. As I will not be at SF this year, I will keep my fingers crossed for an article! I would think there would be great interest in the subject, and an article has the potential of reaching a wider audience than just those that happen to be at a particular show.

 

I don't have any opinion at all on your Musashi, other than my general study of ko-kinko that leads me to date it at the right time period. I suppose I have a fairly common interest in Musashi guards because of the historical association, and so I was interested in learning what points would lead a respected authority to assign authenticity to one guard over another. There are certainly plenty of examples to study, and it's reasonable to assume that some small number of them could be authentic.

 

I was hoping that there might have been some independently verifiable evidence, such as provenance. Even the most learned and respected opinion is still just an opinion, no matter how experienced, learned, and well-qualified.

 

I am always looking forward to learning more,

 

Craig

[Steve Waszak]

Mike and Craig,

 

I wasn't able to be at the Chicago show, but I will be going to the SF show, so here's one vote for further presentation/discussion on this beautiful tsuba. I certainly would second Craig's motion, though, for an actual article on the piece, too, as there is such a relative dearth of good material on tsuba in English (especially highly-focused material, i.e., discussing the finer points of this Musashi guard, rather than just general info on tsuba). I will look forward to any presentation you might give on this, Mike... )

 

Cheers,

 

Steve

[myochin]

Thanks Mike.

It's a shame that EB members can't take advantage of this, it would be great if we could share our triflings.