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Posted

Whilst browsing Buxton antiques fair today, I noticed an interesting sukashi tsuba mixed in with a pile of Chinese fake trash. As it was very inexpensive I decided to purchase it.

 

I think its a late edo, has a good patina and rings like a bell when struck. I wondered if anyone might have any ideas for a potential school? Also any thoughts on what the design represents? I can see the two bird mon but I'm not certain what the round object at the bottom represents?

 

Size is 6.9 x 7.1 x 0.4cm.

 

Thanks,

 

Peter

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Posted

Hi Peter,

 

that circular motif immediately struck me as a trivet, the metal stand used to support the hot tea kettle in the tea ceremony.

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A sprig of plum blossom and a cup suggests cha-no-yu to me :)

Posted

Hi Ford,

 

I think that gotoku are usually used the other way up - the wider section forms the base, with the 'ring' section providing even weight distribution in the furo (or irori, or hibachi). The three 'feet'-looking tabs, pointing upwards, are able to accept different sizes of chagama, and the design allows for the rounded base of the chagama to sit lower than the top of the gotoku, and closer to the charcoal.

Posted

It's an abstracted design element, Mark. It never works to try and read Japanese art like this too literally. ;)

 

Actually this is a fundamental 'mistake' most art fanciers make. Because they are not educated in the peculiarities of different aesthetic expressions that were prevalent in different periods and the actual artistic concerns of the artists of those times they tend to judge, or asses, works from a modern literal/realism perspective.

 

But I suppose it's all in the eyes of the beholder. :dunno:

Posted

Thanks for the help Ford. I should have released it was tea ceremony related as its quite obvious now.

 

Am I correct in assuming late edo, shoami?

 

Thanks,

 

Peter

Posted

Hi Peter F.,

 

I was thinking Shoami circa middle Edo Period early 1700s. The iron is very similar to a one I have in my collection. I don't see any kebori on your tsuba like the one refernced. Kebori and very sharp ji-sukashi is often seen in Akasaka school work.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

Posted

The oval is a sort of 3D representation of the mouth of a vase The sprig is a spring cherry branch with buds, freshly picked. Very common in Japan to pick them early and young and wait for them to bloom. Very nice tsuba. I would love to own it.

Jim

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