Mantis dude

Just going back to casting vs. carving, I think you have to appreciate the Japanese culture. I am no expert in the culture but to this day the artistic creation is highly valued. As a society, they appreciated the skill of carving and were probably not as concerned with mass production (of course to a point but these aren't toyotas). Even mass produced items could be done by some decent copiers. Just from my readings and hearing things over time, I believe the Japanese society valued the attention to detail and dedicated work to perfecting their craft much more than pumping out volume. I just watched a documentary called Jiro makes sushi (not sure of exact title), basically the story of a man who dedicated his life to perfecting sushi. His place only seats 10 people and is in the subway- he is also the oldest man to receive a Michelin star. His sushi isn't fancy, yet there are layers to how he plans, prepares, and serves his sushi. He dedicated his life to that one thing and that idea carries over into many areas in the Japanese culture. Something I think we as westerners always forget (I am no different)- we must think like Japanese to fully understand how they operated and we make the mistake of applying our mentality/sentiments to a culture that can be very different. I hope you get the idea of what I am trying to say. You damn gaijin!!

That is amazing! Thank you so much for your help and research. I would have never found that info ( I tried but google failed me- haha). Really interesting as well to find this on the kozuka for me. Thanks again! Best wishes.

ok I am guessing based on combo of 2 signatures and I think the kao matches- tomotoshi of the mito - ichiryu school?

Hi all, I don't like dipping into the translation well 2x in a week time but I am confused by this mei. The mei is laid out with kanji side by side. Do you read it left to right? Also can't get the middle kanji, assuming the one on the left is a kao either that or I need 1st 2 kanji (far right I can do)- tomo or yu. Thanks in advance.

Thank you! Just to share the front I have to add, your knowledge is really helpful and this board truly is a great tool!

Hi All, I have been trying to decode the back of a kozuka but I am over my head. I know it is signed ichinomiya echizen daijo minamoto no nagatsune but the rest of the inscription I can't get. I assume it must be a poem or something. Would appreciate any help. I added a photo with powder to help bring out characters. Thanks! Ken

my gut reaction to the first was also Mito.

Mantis rule!! Thanks for the links.

never hijacking always good. Thanks.

I knew the work didn't fit the bill and you know with these big names there are ton of gimeis. But looking at the signature I couldn't outright write it off. Sometimes it is just so obvious. You always grasp for that lottery winner. Still, like you guys have said, some pieces can be nice on their own, ignoring the mei. I have a Oomori Teruhide gimei fuchi kashira. Doesn't fit the school or maker but is nice on its own, not juyo level but I can appreciate it for what it is. I am not issuing papers and can take a gimei! Thanks for posting.

that is a whoops on my part, sorry- lack of sleep gets to me.

Hi all, So I saw this kashira recently and was surprised to find it signed on the inside. There was no fuchi. So after many attempts to find secondary readings for the signature, I finally found it- Shosui. Now this name is important because it just so happens to be the name of the founder of the Hamano school. This might explain why the signature was engraved into the kashira perhaps the owner wanted to retain who made it or perhaps the maker actually inscribed it himself. So the next step of course was to evaluate the actual signature itself and see if it was possible that is was made by this very famous maker. After viewing and comparing the signature I have definitely concluded that I can't rule out anything and there is no matter how unlikely still a possibility that the signature is legitimate. My next step is to put it out to you guys and solicit opinions from all. Anyone seen a signed kashira? Is the signature legit? Thanks in advance for your help.

you are probably right but the top right insect on the front is a praying mantis

Piers, I knew I saw a similar one, here is a tsuba from a Rei Sales Catalog. It attributes it to Kyo kinko work. The inlay on your and other similar tsuba aren't very deep, and almost seem like it is painted on sometimes. Hope this helps you a bit. another example

Hi Piers, I didn't read the papers so do I still get credit for the moon answer? I don't believe your tsuba is kaga. I have seen this style before, I think it might be Kyoto or something like that, my mind is a mess today. I will try and get a better answer for you. Once I found some examples I will hopefully more to say about your piece. Ken

That is most likely a crescent moon. It is consistent with the autumn theme that a mantis represents. A crescent moon relates to the circle of life and I have found it used in other mantis themed tsuba. Remember that female mantis will eat the male after/during copulation so while you can't tell, he is smiling.

I thought condition was a factor in papering but perhaps I am thinking more of swords than fittings? I do agree it is weird placement for the inlay. I can understand inlay of plants, etc but the main subject matter is normally handled differently. Mounted, I could see that's were a thumb could often rest. Probably it was intended for the mantis to be staring up at the wearer? Perhaps a reminder to remain tenacious and not back down or it could be read the opposite as a reminder to know their limitations and humble him. Maybe the samurai had an ego problem.

whoops..... well see what happens before I have my coffee. I forgot it is May 1st already. Since I just used it a few days ago I guess I was lucky, I got my order in. I guess you will have to chalk this one up to my intentions were good. Have to add, those darn French always are a thorn in our side, even when we Americans are wrong (my political commentary of the day to try and save face).

Hi all, Found this active auction and for obvious reasons I was very interested in it. What is that reason, can't remember has something to do with theme...oh yeah it is a tsuba with mantis. I found the piece unique and hadn't seen something like it and was excited about it until I saw the head of the mantis. It must be a male and the female ate it. The inlay of the head is gone. In all seriousness, it has papers- I would think that condition would have prevented this piece from being papered to Shoami? or do you think it was papered just for its "historical value"? Curious what people think about this piece? http://page18.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/a ... w101760548 Thanks. Ken

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Guys its a daisho, there is a grasshopper on one set but the other is a mantis. You can see the front claws on the mantis one. I had a link but when I pasted it, it took up pages. So if you can't see it, I will try and save to my computer then upload. FYI, if you click on the picture shown, you will open several pictures which you can zoom in on for better detail. As far as the kozuka goes, there have been made for so long including modern day, I just don't trust seeing them on the internet. Some can be quality I am sure but it is too easy to distort a picture. Most are modern. I am just cautious when it comes to that. Plus with so many out there, it isn't as interesting as others seen. I was given one years ago that has a back with half cat scratch, a pattern I haven't seen, most are just plain backs. ebay recently had one signed, it was a big gimei but that was a first for me to see. Just way too many being produced.

Since my post didn't post, where I talked about everyone's comments, I'll just say as frustrating as it is to see, the dai sho posted I thought people would enjoy since there seems to be an interest in the insect theme. It is a rare thing to see a dai sho done like that and while there is a definite sticker shock, it is nice to see items like that stay together. I really have only seen about 5-6 kogai in 15 years with a mantis, given that like the posted kozuka there are tons of them (careful because they still make that one) and mino school produced so many fuchi/kashira with a mantis/insect theme- you would expect to see a few more than what I have found or should I say not found out there. There was one in the Met exhibit a few years ago (amazing sword & armor gathering), the walters museum in baltimore has a few online, and I found a few referenced but no pics in some major auctions. I don't understand why people have such issues paying 10x the actual amount it costs to ship an item from the major auction houses. I am sure there they don't consider shipping a profit center with such narrow margins like that. (Please note the previous line is written in as sarcastic a tone as possible). I actually did a survey for one of them and shared the sentiment as well as even noted that I know many collectors don't bid on auctions because of that - no matter what you spend on an auction no one wants to get gauged. Anyway, Barry is awesome, he is spreading the mantid gospel. Thank you Sir!!!!

The boston museum has had their collection up for many years now. There seems to be a general trend of museums going digital and posting their items online: Here is a great one The Church Collection broken down by school http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/colle ... 0237/10373 The Walters museum in Baltimore has a surprisingly nice little collection http://art.thewalters.org/browse/catego ... ary-armor/ There are many others, it is kind of nice to view although attributions can be questionable at times. Certainly helps researching your own pieces.

Hi All, So after 15 years of collecting, I have looked for a mantis themed kogai. Well found one in Bonhams up coming auction. http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21861/lot/196/ Description is as follows: Lot 196* A fine and rare kinko koshira-e for a daisho The fittings by Hamano Masanobu (born 1773), Edo Period, early 19th century £35,000 - 45,000 US$ 59,000 - 76,000 Anyone have a spare $60K for me to borrow? I'll be your best friend?

I would agree. There is a great article that I can never remember the name of it nor the author but to surmise it down to a crude line "it's the plate stupid". That seems to be the major differentiator between Aizu Shoami and the other schools. They were very good copiers. However, they liked to overwork it or give that look of mimicking an aged and hand worked plate but they do it too overdone. I to hope David finds similar pieces at a flea market. I won't tell him I don't buy this style anymore....but shh he doesn't need to know that.