hddennis

Just bought this netsuke? online and AI has me thoroughly confused having given me at least 4 different translations in 3 attempts?? Is it that hard to translate or is AI that bad? Waiting to receive this by mail so have to rely on sellers photos until I get it in hand. Thanks in advance, Howard Dennis

Was able to find this information in a book but was hoping someone knowledgeable in the subject could clarify it a bit more. Howard Dennis

Just acquired this inro and was pleasantly surprised to learn it had a signature inside when it arrived. Can anyone translate it and maybe give an idea as to it's age? Thanks for any help, Howard Dennis

Thank You Hiro, wife will be so happy to learn what she inherited. Appreciate your extra effort in helping us. Howard & Debbie Dennis

Thanks John, appreciate the help. The site I always thought would be available was much more inclusive of all the known artists who produced this beautiful work. What a shame it is no longer available for future researchers. Guess it might be a warning if you currently find a site useful it might be a good idea to download it as it might disappear sometime in the future! Howard Dennis

Anybody know how to get the Komai artist signature database that used to be online at http://www.smokingsamurai.com? Howard Dennis

Pictured is 3 panels of what should be a 4 sliding panel door space on my newly acquired Japanese cabinet. Sadly I'm missing one panel. Can anyone tell me what theme or action this depicts? I'm also trying to find out what the sitting figure may have been holding. Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated. Howard Dennis

Thanks Brian, Since it sounds like you have used it is there any danger of it sticking to the lacquer or staining it?

Brian, do you have a link or a name of the moldable plastic you mentioned? Thanks, Howard Dennis

Thanks for your response and suggestions. Since you have a lot more experience could I ask your opinion on the flowers on the carved wooden sukashi like panels? In going over all the carved wooden panels it appears I'm missing close to 60 flowers. When new would it seem likely that the tradesman who carved the panel would have glued these flowers on? I ask only because the 3 remaining flowers are of such a simple and poor quality than the ones on the Shibayama panels and that makes me wonder which statement is true? Either the remaining low quality flowers are a later replacement OR the flowers don't match because they were made by 2 different carvers at different times during the cabinet's production.

Just added this great Japanese Cabinet to our collection. It is almost 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide. As with almost all shibayama items found it is missing some inlay. Does anyone know if anyone sells carved inlay items that maybe used to restore this? It is missing flowers, birds and a childs head. Howard Dennis

I don't get the Western Anchor comment?? Looks like every WWII IJN emblem image I find on Google? Howard Dennis

Wife recently polished this and made it harder to photograph so I apologize in advance for my poor photos. Can anyone tell me what these symbols mean and what this vase was used for? And I will tell her to stop polishing this! Thanks in advance, Howard Dennis

Yes, it's made from thin iron so I too thought possibly an armourer made it. Also the wasp wings appear to be made of brass. Howard Dennis

No, I was surprised it wasn't signed. Howard Dennis