Rich T

Pete is correct. This is the Kodo, but the later version of Kodo. Dr. Torigoye had 2 or 3 art names, starting with Kodo 光堂 from the 1940's (his earliest art name) Then kodo from the 50's and 60's as it appears on this hakogaki Kodo 在堂 And then Saro later on ion the late 60's Saro 在耶 This is an example of the earlier Kodo signature. I wondered about this Hakogaki when I first looked at it as the later Kodo signatures have a different Kao. The earlier ones appear as I have linked above. Chris's signature should have the rounder version of the kao. My question now concerns the Kao (sorry I have not posted an example). Did Torigoye sign like this, I have no examples of the signature ?. This kao appears on old boxes with a richer, deeper tone to the wood. I have not seen this Kodo signature with this Kao. Has any one else seen it ?, is there one listed ?. Cheers Richard

but it is signed by Dr. Torigoye Kazutaro. It looks to be dated Show Yon ju Nen ju gatsu ju hi (I think) Is starts with Testu Ji, then it talks about the work, I see Taka bori and Koniku-kakumimi, The middle talks mostly about the design and I see Ko Sukashi and that it states that is genuine. It's a start. I picture of the tsuba would be cool. I like Kamakura. Hopefully someone will fill in all my blanks Cheers Richard

Hi Jimmy, not a bad set. The tsuba is Namban. That is a school that was prolific in tsuba with designs primarily based in Chinese art. A typical design of rain dragons and floral arabesques. The Namban school was predominately in the Edo period, with the earliest examples actually coming from China. The Fuchigashira are in the Omori tradition and are signed Inaba with Kao as described. It looks genuine to my eye. His usual name was Hokyô and later signed Osawa Inaba. He was born in Shinano province and later moved to Shinshu Matsumoto ju. He dies between 1775 and 1800. I agree the menuki look like butterflies over blossoms. What school they are is too hard to tell for me. The detail looks nice. The habaki is the driving rain pattern finished in Shakudo. The droplets are with out shakudo revealing copper. Hope that helps a little. Cheers Richard

as in the fishes cheers Richard

Sorry for the off topic, but I am helping out someone with a project and we are looking for classic Japanese or Chinese koi prints. If anyone has images of them, or a good reference book they can point me to I would appreciate the help. Cheers Richard

I believe the main reason sellers mark auctions as "No International sales" is because it is too much trouble to deal with overseas transactions. It is a matter of choice, not they they are compelled or anything. It may not change a single thing. Interesting read though. Rich

I came across this at Andy Quirts site. http://www.nihonto.us/KATCHUSHI%20MUSHROOM%20TSUBA.htm Similar busyness. Richard

I am fairly sure that is fire scale. It also seems to show more active rust in some areas which is another trait of burning. Richard

2/5's of F all. Richard

I found a page in the book Shin Katch Shi Meikan Here it is displaying a Saotome tsuba, which may be on a better track Looks interesting. Richard

I would not have thought Shomai, maybe Katchushi though. Rich

thats looks better. So that is a better sign for an older guard. Richard

Here, have the kanji as well. 槌目 Tsuchime) 地 (Ji) I am still having trouble seeing it, as it is usually (in most cases) strong hammer work visible on the surface of the plate. Here are some examples from around the web. Rich Courtesy of Jim Gilbert Courtesy of Me

Nioi to your Nie :-) Here's a tip I picked up in Japan. Old iron tsuba with no rims in the Katch or Tosho class are generally classified by the following. When there is no raised rim (打返耳 Uchikaeshi-mimi) or the likes with small or Ko sukashi then it is classified as TOSHO. But when there is no raised rim and there is large sukashi, then it is classified as KATCHUSHI. It's a bit hard to judge the age from your excellent (read lousy) images matey hahahahahaha though I suspect they are the auction site images. I have a gut feeling this is an Edo copy though I am unsure why I have that feeling. Maybe it's the side on shot that shows the lack of any hammer work (Tsuchime). It's a bit small for a regular Katchu or Tosho unless early Muromachi. They both tended to be big, as in high 8 cm's and up. It is nice and thin though which is a bonus. Also, the sukashi crowds the mimi a bit, maybe it has been reduced ? Old Tosho and Katchu do have small bones in the mimi a lot of the time so there may be a clue there. Just some early morning ramblings. Cheers Richard

the construction of the Zane character mate, for me this is the furthest away from shoshin. It is crowded and not at all controlled like the shoshin examples. Also the Shi character is quite different to my eye. Not as well executed. I also notice that the ends of the strokes are done with more flair and a heavier hammer that the shoshin examples. Just my observations. I may of course be well off. Richard

It's a fake, what could be worse ????? These are junk and asking about them is the way to go. Check and re check before bidding. The more we educate, the less these will sell and the worseoff these sellers will be. Cheers Richard

It's rubbish. All your observations are correct. Also not the new rust and very poorly made nakago. This is another important thing to look for. Cheers Richard

you are still credited with copyright Rich, at least they are not trying to steel it. Maybe they are the great Bandwidth Fairies that mysteriously offer back lost kb's of data and space. Rich

is the correct name. Basically, you are correct in how it is fitted. Ford might be able to help here. Richard

Ko Tosho and Ko Katchushi tsuba are Ubu. That the designs were not added later on but are original to the guards. This also applies to other iron works like sukashi tsuba that date to the mid Muromachi period, like Heianjo Sukashi, Owari, Kyo etc etc. And also to soft metal works, such as Ko Kinko, Tach Kanaguishi etc. Possibly tsuba made in battle, or close the the fields were solid ?, so as to not waste time making them fancy, but to produce a product quickly. Just a thought. I have seen solid plate Katchushi tsuba before. Here I have added an early Muromachi tsuba from my collection. This is ubu, the sukashi is not and add on. I have not heard this stated as a generality before. I know it happens, but it is not the common rule as suggested. Cheers Richard

Hi Rich, John et all. Maybe just Katchushi, and Edo period as opposed to Ko. It seems to be missing the hammered surface texture (tsuchime) of the older guards, i.e. the iron is pretty homogenous. Also, not that this is, but the Shoami group copied this style a lot but usually adding some form of gold on the mimi, in the style of arabesques or the likes. Just a few thoughts. the other Rich

Hi Brian, you are of course correct, but live auctions still manage to spread themselves all over the various sections of the forum. I still think, and always will, that an "Ebay only" section would be preferable if you want to talk about these auctions. Cheers, and sorry for the bad day, I had 5 of them last week. Richard

LOL, yes, I stand corrected, I was not trying to infer I know all. Far from it. Oh, and Milt, re my tosogu forum ?, you chicken, you don't trust yourself huh LOL ?. Rich

It the difference between a totally open forum, allowing for all forms of discussion, no matter how off topic they seem (well a bit on topic is the rule here I believe) or a more controlled serious forum (which is my preferred format) that keeps all threads on track. For me, I think it makes for a larger base of good information, and allows for many of the more advanced collectors to get involved. A lot of these collectors are just not interested in the silly stuff and stay away because of it. However, having said all that, I agree totally with Nigel though, if the members did not want to answer these questions, they wouldn't, and you don't have to read them in the first place, though sometimes you have to to know what they are about. And beginners NEED TO BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS, otherwise they will never learn. We cannot stop this and no right to try and stop it. (sorry for yelling) We were all beginners once. Now, I still think a section just for Ebay is appropriate, especially as I am of the thinking that discussing ongoing auctions is inappropriate (aside from advertising your own auctions, then it is open for discussion). I feel an Ebay or online auction section removes this issue to a place you do not even have to enter if you feel strongly about it. I have had this opinion shot down plenty of times in the past and it will continue to come under fire but I do not care, it is just my opinion. Still, it rears it's head at least 2 or 3 times a year so it is an issue. Maybe in the rules post a line stating "WE SUPPORT EBAY DISCUSSION SO GET OVER IT" and get it out up front LOL. Just a thought. Richard

some form of Edo copy of an Owari. Rich