Higo Kinko no Seika by Mitsuru Ito

[Rich T]

肥後金工の精華 Higo Kinko no Seika

( The Glory of Higo Metalwork ) by Mitsuru Ito

 

Recently, I have been lucky enough to make the acquaintance of Mr Mitsuru Ito of Japan. Mr Mitsuru has written two wonderful books in recent times on the glory of Higo kinko, his latest just published. Focusing on the tosogu works of the famous Higo school these two books, Works of NISHIGAKI KANSHIRO and Works of HIRATA and SHIMIZU are of a large format and cover the first few masters of each of these schools. The books are beautifully bound, have dust jackets and the quality is outstanding. Both books are limited to 500 copies each.

 

Mr Mitsuru Ito was born in the city of Seto in Aichi Prefecture in 1952. He graduated from the Kanazawa Arts and Crafts college in 1975 and later that year went to work for Shiseido Co.ltd. as graphic designer. Mitsuru san has had an interest in Japanese antiques from the age of twelve but his interest in tsuba began after he met Mr Masayuki Sasano in 1976 and was then invited to study tsuba in Sasano sensei's home every Saturday and Sunday. Mitsuru san says Mr Sasano's family became like his family, they were like parents and children. Mr Mitsuru has written a dedication for Sasano sensei in the first page of both of his books.

 

When I asked Mr Mitsuru about his interest in Higo pieces he responded, "...for me it is because the good work is beautiful, it is fine and with a pleasing design and they were made to please the tsubako's client. But I think the truly noble work of a Higo master is made by his own sense and mind, for me those are art. I think that Higo-kinko are one of the truly artistic peoples." Mitsuru san made a pledge to Sasano sensei he would write about Higo and he has kept that pledge with these two books.

 

Following is a brief description of both books. At the end you will find a link to Mr Mitsuru's web site where more information (Japanese text only) and images can be gained as well as contact information in regards to purchase.

 

 

Works of NISHIGAKI KANSHIRO

 

 

This book has 268 pages and deals with the first 4 NISHIGAKI Kanshiro masters (KANSHIRO Yoshihiro, KANSHIRO Yoshimasa, KANSHIRO Yoshinori, KANSHIRO Yoshiyuki ). This was the first book of Mitsuru san's that I bought and it blew me away. I love Nishigaki tsuba and there are so many fine examples in this book. The chosen samples and photography are outstanding. Many classic examples of Nishigaki tsuba can be found within these pages.

 

Entries cover Tsuba, Fuchikashira and menuki, the dimensions are 310mm x 220mm x 33mm. JY20,000 plus shipping.

 

 

 

Works of HIRATA and SHIMIZU

 

 

This book has 368 pages and deals with the first 2 Hirata masters (MATSUMOTO Inaba no Kami, MATSUMOTO Sukenojo) and the first 5 Shimizu masters (NIBEI Kazuyuki, JINGO Nagahisa, JINGO Nagayoshi, JINGO, JINGO Shigenaga ). Mitsuru san informs me that this new book has been produced with the highest quality printing standards that results in the finest microscopic dot printing that can hardly be seen even with the aid of a loupe. The quality really is amazing. There are many fine examples of both Hirata and Shimizu works with many fine sukashi and two wonderful solid copper plate Jingo tsuba attributed to the 5th Jingo master.

 

Entries cover Tsuba, Fuchikashira, Kozuka and Menuki. Dimensions are 310mm x 220mm x 38mm. Order via the internet and pay JY30,000 plus shipping.

 

 

Both books are in Japanese but all images have detailed English captions giving a clear indication of maker, dimensions, theme and materials. I highly recommend both books as they are simply superb but because of their limited numbers will disappear quickly.

 

Mr Mitsuru Ito can be contacted via his website at http://www.higokinko.jp/index.html where you can order his books.

 

Cheers

 

Richard Turner

[Steve Waszak]

Many thanks, Rich, for this excellent introduction to these books. I'm sure they won't last. Gotta rush to get mine...! Thanks again,

 

Steve

[myochin]

Thanks for the write-up Richard.

Interesting the note on Mitsuru Ito's background; I always find it interesting to know the "how" & "why" of an author.

 

Paul.

[Martin]

Hi all,

 

I also had the opportunity to get a closer look into the first volume.

Really great pictures and of course great Tsuba

And of course thanks very much for the information Richard !

 

cheers,

Martin