Have you all seen this?

[Toryu2020]

http://tinyurl.com/3btb5es

 

I posted this already but got few comments. This tsuba came to my attention on this board almost a year ago, I have since enjoyed months of researching the maker, his home and history. At the time folks here disparaged this little piece because of the condition. It seems clear that I am an "artefact" and not art collector. if you have the time please review the article and I should love to hear what folks have to say about the tsuba a year further down the road...

-t

[cabowen]

Tom-

 

Very enjoyable read which I found all the more interesting as I owned at one time a gassaku blade by Tadayoshi and his son Yoshinori....

 

The blade I owned was in a soshu style with a wide and gentle notare. There was an almost kikusui like effect on one side that may or may not have been done purposely. The forging wasn't that great with several kitae-ware. I was greatly disappointed with it after seeing other work by this smith as it was clearly not close to the usual level of work. I believe it was dated the first year of Keio and assumed most of the work had been done by an inexperienced Yoshinori......

 

Many years ago now there was a special exhibit in Sakura, Chiba of the Hosokawa Masayoshi line, with both generations of Masayoshi, as well as all of the sons of the nidai. It was a great exhibit that went into considerable depth on these local smiths. I distinctly recall several tsuba in the exhibit as well. There was a nice catalog with fairly decent photography of many of the blades and some tsuba as well. I wonder if you have seen this? My copy is packed away in storage but at some point, hopefully by the end of the year, I will be moving into my house and can send you some scans if you are interested....

 

The former student of Ono Kokei, Yanagawa Sei san, who is both a fantastic polisher and skilled tsuba-ko, lives in Sakura. He has many nice blades from this school and the most knowledgeable person I have talked with about this school. He would be worth looking up if you have any unanswered questions....

 

Again, thanks for sharing the fruits of your considerable labor....

[sanjuro]

Hi Tom.

 

Not that I know all that much about tsuba. My first impression of this tsuba, and one I still have is that it is of the four rings representing the four directions. Perhaps also or alternatively the four elements of sword making, earth , wind, fire and water. Not uncommon themes as you have pointed out in your article. Actually I like it although I find it rather crude. it is a 'blocky' little tsuba after all.

[Toryu2020]

Thank you sir for taking the time to read it,

Part one is on the Tsuba itself, part two is some twenty examples of his work including many from the catalog you mention. The exhibit was in 95 so I just happened to miss it but it clearly was a fantastic affair. A shame more of our "B" list swordmakers do not get the same treatment.

 

I am surprised as well to hear about the poor kitae - from all that I have seen and read he had some real skills.

Cheers,

-t

 

PS part two will be in a future issue of To-Ron, after it comes out I will add it to the website...

[watsonmil]

Dear Thomas,

Congratulations on your well written research. I must say I am delighted with the depth of your article. It made a very fine read indeed.

... Ron Watson

[Toryu2020]

Keith -

That would be five elements; Chi, sui, ka, fu, ku. Cannot make a sword without all five. I did not include other examples in my article but if you look in any reference on Mon, you should be able to find several of the Kanawa in 3, 4 and 5 ring designs. Although my SCA buddies laugh at the idea I still like "chain-mail" as a possible theme.

 

"Blocky" is beautiful! Part of the reason I was attracted to it, clearly not work by a tsuba-ko, simple and powerful this was meant most likely for a wakizashi or as I suggested a toppei koshirae or something similar meant to have a low profile. Pure speculation of course but within the context of his time...

-t

[cabowen]

Yes, it is indeed a shame that more light isn't shown on these less than famous smiths....There are certainly exhibits of this sort focusing on the local talent but they are few and far between....

 

Glad to hear you have access to the catalog....I have tried to pick up as many of these regional exhibit catalogs as possible due to the fact that they often have info only the locals have...

 

As for Tadayoshi, he was skilled but definitely wasn't the best of the Masayoshi sons. I have seen a great deal of work from this school and by far the best of his students was Masamori...I have seen many Masamori blades to die for.....

[Soshin]

Hi Thomas,

 

Thanks for the write up and research you did about the tsuba and swordsmith who made it. These type of research projects I find really interesting to read and discuss.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[edzo]

Dear Mr. Helm,

 

Thank you for your generosity in sharing such a valuable research effort. It's members like you and others that compliment this forum making is so important to the art, collectors, students and researchers.

 

Respectfully, Ed F.

[george trotter]

Hi Tom,

Very interesting research ...I have an interest in the Hosokawa line also...I have a blade signed by Masayoshi (Ansei 5), but it is gimei...I think it is by someone further down the line, so your mei examples are intriguing, prompting me to re-activate my stalled research. Thanks for the article.

[Toryu2020]

　Thanks George,

Stay tuned for part two!

-t

[bridgeofdreams]

Tom,

 

You combine great taste in fittings with exemplary scholarship, looking forward to part two.

 

One of the only tsuba I still have is also swordsmith-made, Nobukuni Yoshinao, I'll have to post pictures sometime.

 

Craig