Kozuka and Kogai help

Hi All,

I wonder to what school these Kogai and Kozuka belong and identification of the signature on the Kogai.

Thank you for any comments and opinions.

Eric

Hi Eric, It looks to be Mitsusada and the work seems reminiscent of Goto family work. Maybe someone can elaborate but it might be Murakami Todaiyu who studied under Goto Zenjo. 18th century. John

Added; In mid Edo period is also Mitsusada known as Ryujo of the Goto family, lived in Kyoto, tanjaku mei, but his kao is different but familial and mei slightly different according to the Kinko Meikan, so looks like the upper Murakami might be the guy but I have no example of his mei. John

Nice set! Based on the work and without checking the mei , my bet would on Goto Mitsutada, son of Jujo (12th Goto Shirobei line), 5th master of the Shiroemon line.

Though, it is a bit surprising to see the nanako worn down as much as it is on the kozuka, giving it almost a Ko Goto look.

Might this not be the work of Goto Mitsumori (H 05275.0), a student of Goto Seijo? It is not that of Goto Keijo, who also used the Mitsumori name, whose mei and kao in Kinko Meikan are quite different from the pair posted.

Regards, John L.

Darn, John, Now I'm thinking it might be Mitsumori. The kanji are close but it does seem more a 'mori' kanji. Still seems Goto or someone taught by them anyway. John

I went to my Goto book and checked both Mitsumori mei and kao. The older early 16th cent. Mitsumori can be eliminated first, the mei on earlier pieces was in two parts and secondly the kao and mei do not match. The younger Mitsumori late 18th cent. where the mei is contiguous does not match at all, same with the kao. Also these artists used a standard script, very easy to read. Unfortunately no examples of Mitsusada in this book, just one in the Kinko Meikan which as I said doesn't match. John

定 Sada ?? I'll be the first to admit when it comes to mei and kanji, my skills are handicapped. Still, I have little doubt the mei is good on this set (opinion, neck sticking out cut here), and the work is Goto, not likely mainline but close.

"The work confirms the mei and not the other way around"

I have a feeling this is a copy of the signiture of Goto Mitsusada, Shichirobei Fifth master (aka Ryujo).

see: Kinko Meikan pg. 390 and Studies in Kyo Goto pg. 58. The picture below is seen at both these references and I believe if you compare the kao and overall format there are many similarities.

Whatever this pair is, it deserves to rest on more comfortable ground.

reinhard

I am deeply grateful to you all for your help !

Much appreciation

Eric