Ron STL Posted June 29, 2011 Report Posted June 29, 2011 This inquiry is about a recently found kozuka/kogatana, a war era bring back. The kogatana is of shakudo with a katakiriba scene. It is signed on the reverse (in typical tosogu fashion), Okamoto Naoshige w/name seal. The kozuka is also shakudo with a combination raised relief and delicate katakiriba carving. The kozuka is signed on its side, Nagatsune (in his odd style of script) w/kao. My question is, has anyone ever seen a combination work like this before or even a shakudo kogatana? Obviously, two famous artists involved here and of course I do know the odds of this being correct, honestly, the mei both look amazingly correct, to my eyes anyway. Kinko Meikan p. 331 and Tosa Kinko Mei Shuroku, p. 298. I've posted some quickie photos and rubbings, if I've done that correctly. If not, I'll try again. Thanks for any and all comments, good or bad. Ron Quote
Ron STL Posted June 29, 2011 Author Report Posted June 29, 2011 This image didn't take last post...let's try it again, seperately. Ron Quote
Soshin Posted July 1, 2011 Report Posted July 1, 2011 has anyone ever seen a combination work like this before or even a shakudo kogatana? Obviously, two famous artists involved here and of course I do know the odds of this being correct, honestly, the mei both look amazingly correct, to my eyes anyway. Kinko Meikan p. 331 and Tosa Kinko Mei Shuroku, p. 298. Hi Ron, Two famous artists working on and involved with a work can some times happen. Here is any example of a Umetada sukashi tsuba I have with two mei posted on the translation message board as I need help with the mei: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=10487. Both were head masters of the mainline Umetada based in Kyoto. The funny thing about Shigenaga is that he was the head master of school for a period of time when Umetada Myoju his older brother had transfer control of the day to day operations of school to him and was working independently. Yours truly, David S. Quote
Pete Klein Posted July 1, 2011 Report Posted July 1, 2011 OK Ron, as my Comparative Anatomy instructor used to say while passing out the test results, "Into each life a little rain must fall". The kozuka is an absolute fake and the mei is gimei. Nagatsune's workmanship was of the highest caliber and this simply is not. His work is also highly copied and the vast majority of signatures are fake. As for the kogatana it has always been my observation that they are made of steel, not shakudo. If I can find an example of Nagatsune work I will post it. Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings but as Sakini said, "Pain makes man think, thinking makes man wise, and wisdom makes life endurable". from Shinsen Kinko Meikan, pg. 266 (I believe 1998 edition, which was corrected and revised from the first edition): Quote
Pete Klein Posted July 1, 2011 Report Posted July 1, 2011 Here is a link to http://www.Ricecracker.com which had this Nagatsune fuchi kashira back in 2007: http://web.archive.org/web/200701151310 ... acker.com/ Quote
Ron STL Posted July 1, 2011 Author Report Posted July 1, 2011 Pete - That's what I meant about "the odds," but I still have a problem "seeing" what makes the mei clearly a fake and will work on understanding that. However, the key is in the quality of work, as with swords. How often have we been handed a Shinkai and the workmanship simply was not of his quality. I am somewhat impressed by the katakiriba work on the kozuka, whoever made it. My camera is unable to capture really macro detail, but the attached image shows the fellow's teeth and tongue fairly clear. What tale is this depicting??? Man on right (raised work) with horse and minogane, the katakiriba man looking kind of surprised. Ron Quote
Pete Klein Posted July 1, 2011 Report Posted July 1, 2011 Ron -- there are subtleties missing in the mei to my eye but then again if the piece &/or mei look better in hand than we can see in the pictures you can always send it for shinsa. These can be tricky, especially when seen on line. I would be nothing but delighted to be proven incorrect, trust me. Quote
Brian Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Ron, Surprised no-one has asked yet, but I would really like to see the pics of a shakudo kogatana. Not something I have seen before, and I assume it must have been made as a presentation item. More pics would be welcome. I agree the workmanship looks good, so even if it does turn out gimei, it is a good piece. I think Ford could work some wonders on restoring the kozuka too. Brian Quote
Ron STL Posted July 2, 2011 Author Report Posted July 2, 2011 Brian, This is the first such kogatana made of shakudo that I've ever seen. I guess somethink like this was made strictly as an art work since it is definitely is not made to use. I'll attach a couple photos, one overall view and a close-up of the kogatana. The design is simple but good and the katakiri-bori (sorry, I've been writing katakiriba) is delicate and flowing. Ron Quote
Pete Klein Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 I have a feeling this isn't shakudo but coloured steel. From what I can see of the nakago it has some rusting which would make it imposible to be shakudo. Possibly a picture of the nakago would be beneficial? Quote
Ron STL Posted July 3, 2011 Author Report Posted July 3, 2011 Yes, a magnet was my first test and it does not take a magnet. What you see as rust is some worn off patina that shows up red (copper color). The kogatana is still tight in the kozuka and I've not tried to remove it. Just taking things slow with this; haste makes...well, you know. Strange materials were used at times. I recall the story about a "gold" tanto being at some shop out on the east coast, back in the 1970s I believe. Somebody finally bought it for a song and it turned out to be totally of gold, so the story went. I think this story came from the late Rad Smith then living outiside Boston. Ron Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.