A pair of fuchi-gashira for comment ...

[docliss]

Attached are images of a pair of iron fuchi-gashira, decorated in high relief with the pentagonal star of the Abe family. One of these is on the kashira and two on the fuchi, protruding above its ji.

 

This pair is ex the Joly, Peak and Blockley collections. It is described in the Joly sale catalogue as being by Yoshitoki and this artist is listed as Y268 in Joly’s Shōsankenshu, where the author adds ‘Tempo 13’ – clearly the entry was taken from this pair in his own collection, and there is no reference to this artist in any of the other literature.

 

They passed through the Peak collection, and were purchased by Blockley at the third Peak sale. They then appeared as lot no 581 in the Blockley sale, accompanied by a note in Blockley’s hand stating that ‘in Joly’s sale catalogue this is wrongly stated to be signed Yoshtoki, an erroneous reading of Kichi Shin which is really “Lucky Time” or “Lucky Season.”’

 

There is thus some question regarding the inscription on the fuchi, which is presently translated as:

TEMPO JU SAN MIDZUNOYE TORA NEN (Tempo 13 (1842) 39 Tiger Year (1842)

MORISEIKA YOSHITOKI.

The pair has been attributed as late Umetada work.

 

Any observations will be gratefully received.

 

With thanks, John L.

[docliss]

Come on guys, is there no member out there who can add something to this thread? John L.

[Pete Klein]

I believe they were once owned by Maria Ouspenskaya...

[docliss]

The Russian film actress? Her bio makes no reference to any Japanese collection - please tell me more. John L.

[reinhard]

This reminds me of an episode of "two and a half men":

After partying heavily with a bunch of gothic babes, Charlie Harper discovers a pentagram on his belly the next day. His question, adressed to his brother Alan, is: "Am I Jewish now ?"

 

I know, I know, too cryptic again.

 

reinhard

[george trotter]

Hi John,

just a pedantic point, but my mon reference gives this shape as a "kagome"...a basket weave - not as a star. My own understanding of Japanese depictions of stars as kamon is that they are like the "cluster of balls" type (sometimes with rays of light? between the balls), such as for Fujisawa and Matsudaira etc.

As "kagome", my reference gives both this type you show (5 points) and the "Jewish" (6 points) type star...it does not mention Abe family.

 

This brings up a question, Since this is so different from a Japanese star, would this design (as a star) have to be "European" in concept and date from after the European arrival in Japan? Of course, as a basket weave, it must be ancient.

Just a thought.

Regards,

George.

 

PS...I am not "up" on reading/pronouncing tsubako mei but wouldn't the name be Morinatsu or Seika?

[Baka Gaijin]

Morning all,

 

Here's a link which may help.....

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Xing

 

Cheers

 

Malcolm

[Stephen]

Malcom

 

what a basket you have opened Oy Vey!

[Markus]

Kichi Shin which is really “Lucky Time” or “Lucky Season.”

 

Kisshin (吉辰) is another term for "kichijitsu" (吉日), so the left part of the fuchi

is not a signature but belongs to the date: seika-kisshin (盛夏吉日), "a lucky day

in the middle of summer".

 

The motif is IMHO the sign of Abe no Seimei.

 

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%AE%89% ... 4%E6%98%8E

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abe_no_Seimei

[Brian]

For those that might still be battling a bit..there is a big difference between each of these.

Just saying....

 

Brian

[george trotter]

Interesting thread. I notice the Japanese wikipedia page calls this sign the "Abemon" as John said...I think tho' that they must mean this sign is "associated" with Abe no Seimei...not that it is his actual mon?...I suppose it's a bit like the pentagram in the West is associated with the "occult", but I don't think anyone (alchemists etc) used it on their coat-of-arms? (I may be wrong here).

 

My references do not show this as a star or as an Abe mon...maybe it is used on these F-K in the "symbol of philosophy of the five elements" sense...not as an Abe family mon?

George.

[IanB]

George, Sorry, but you are wrong. A pentagram, and separately, two palm branches below a crown, occur on a wheel lock pistol belonging to an Italian nobleman in the Royal Armouries collection. His armour, with the same devices, is in the armoury in Torino and was acquired in the 19th century. Can't remember his name off hand but I seem to remember he was big in the Church (would you believe).

Ian Bottomley

[george trotter]

That is very interesting Ian...what next, a churchman with a pentagram!

I suppose it is a mon then...thanks for your info.

Regards,

George.

[Baka Gaijin]

Good evening everyone.

 

The Pentacle in Christian symbology represented variously the five wounds of Christ or the five pure joys of The Virgin Mary, so not untoward for a decoration on armour.

 

The Dark Magick (sic) usage is a conceit of various writers such as Eliphas Levi, Madame (Helena) Blavatsky in the 19th Century and Aleister Crowley in the early 20th Century.

 

Cheers

 

Malcolm

[docliss]

My grateful thanks to all the members who provided such heplful replies to my queries. I remain slightly puzzled by the fact that the artist should include such comprehensive date details without adding his own mei. And I should still love to hear more details about the Maria Ouspenskaya collection from Pete Klein ....

 

John L.