Bob M.

Re. Item No. 288 After consulting with George Miller , we are able to add a little to the original post above. The inscription on the rear of the kozuka is in Tensho or Japanese seal script and reads/translates to ' evening cicada clinging to old tree '. Seal script usually appears as a suffix or adjunct to makers signatures in Japanese Art and is relatively common on Tosogu, often seen inlaid with gold. It is however, not usually seen outside this context on fittings and is quite rare to appear as part of the design of the piece. Regards

On the ' Series of fittings ' threads, Item Nos. 248 & 274( small )bear images of cats ... Regards

Item No. 288 Kozuka in sentoku with gold and shakudo. Subject of Cicada on a tree trunk by Ryuchiken Teruyuki , Edo period 19th cent. Haynes ref. H 09665.0 The Cicada carved in gold with shakudo feelers and veins inlaid into its wings. Nicely engraved bark and associated detailing. Together with the artist's signature is a Chinese ? poem inlaid in gold . Any takers for a translation? As usual with these pieces , photographs flatten out the depth of the carving.

Item No. 287 Iron Tsuba with gold and mother of pearl 7.72 cm x 6.77 cm x 0.40 cm Subject of Irises against a rock face background , a diminutive snail on a leaf to the rear . Made by Ford Hallam around 18 years ago. Taking inspiration from the work of Kano Natsuo , Ford has produced a deceptively simple looking piece , where a great deal of attention has been given over to the ground work and texturing. The overall effect is seen much better in the hand, as photographs flatten out the detail and have insufficient depth of field to allow an overall oblique view .

Re. Item No. 286 Haynes entry H 02787.0 states Katsukata, family name Matsumura , D: ca.1700 This would give the tsuba an age of 320 + years. Thanks , George !

Item No. 286 Tsuba in shakudo with gold 7.84 cm x 7.30 cm x 0.40 cm Subject of fishing boats in a lively sea with many billowing waves . Signed - Aizu No Ju Chuemon Matsumura Katsukata & Kao ( signature can also be read Katsumasa ). Can anyone find this artist in either Wakayama or Haynes ? Good piece of craftsmanship from the Edo period , very engaging subject and composition. Nice detailing includes rows of nanako edging the seppa-dai. Best viewed in partial silhouette against a light background. Published in Shinsen Kinko Meikan, K.Kokubo, Tokyo 1993 , p.59 NBTHK Hozon Tosogu.

Re Item No. 285 Some corrected / additional information The subject matter is revised to - mouse , mochibana and treasure sack - Best Wishes for an abundant New Year. The branches with small balls are mochibana ( mochi flowers ) . These are small rice balls formed on twigs and can be coloured ( see wikipedia for more info. ) The mouse represents a symbol of Daikokuten, together with the sack ( takarakukuro ) of the God of Wealth and one of the Seven Lucky Gods. The sack is a bottomless hoard of treasure. The maker is Shigeyoshi ( Haynes 08584.0 ) in 1813. In summary, an over 200 year old New Year Wishes Kozuka - appropriate for this time of year . Many Thanks are due to George Miller for his help on this .

Item No. 285 Kozuka in Shakudo with copper , silver and gold. Subject of a rat with a sack and a branch . Signed Tsuneyoshi and , unusually for a Kozuka , bearing a date. This is shown as 1813 which would seem to place the artist in Kyoto's Ichinomiya School. A full translation of the inscription would be most welcome. Good quality work , the rat appears to have been carved in a brownish shade of shakudo with many contrasts of texture and detailing shown through the piece. The confident execution of the signature adds to the overall effect.

Item No. 284 Fuchi Kashira in Shibuichi carved in Shishiabori. Subject of Guan Yu & Zhuge Kongming . Signed Issando Joi ( 18th Cent. ) Important figures from 3rd cent. China, symbolising wisdom and strategy , they are depicted with almost photographic realism on these fittings. Provenence - Ex Mosle Collection No. 951 Thanks to George Miller for his help.

Item No. 283 Tsuba in Shibuichi with red copper , gold and shakudo details 6.10 cm x 5.63 cm x 0.40 cm Subject of a Tiger from the Sekibun school. Signed Yurakusai Sekibun, ( mid 19th Cent. ). A highly accomplished work with much quality katakiribori work. Picture lightened to better show detail.

Hi Marco, Nice start ! Look forward to seeing more... All the best , Bob Morrison

Item No. 282 Tsuba in Copper with shakudo and gold 7.15 cm x 6.62 cm x 0.39 mm over plain , 0.65 cm over inlay. Subject of deer, possibly moon watching . Unsigned but attributed to Tsuchiya Yasuchika. I believe this to be quite a well known piece showing very good craftsmanship and decorative skills. The image extends seamlessly around the edge . In the hand, the light reflects off the deers coat in the same way as seen in nature , following the contours of the animals body. Ex Naunton Collection No. 3641

Item No. 281 Kozuka in shibuichi with silver and gold Subject of the spirit of the willow tree , from the well known ghost story. The artist is Hamano Naoyuki ( 1745-1819 ), a student of Hamano Noriyuki. A beautifully decorated piece with a convincing image of the ghost , sorrowful and vulnerable, but possessing hidden depths of power. The use of green tinted gold adds masterfully to the scene. Excellent overall condition. Provenence - Ex M. Gueneau collection Ex Paul Corbin collection

Item No. 280 Iron Tsuba in Mokko Gata form with silver , gold , copper and shakudo 7.54 cm x 6.90 cm x 0.42 cm Subject of butterfly and Iris blooms , a horsetail and grass depicted on the rear. Signed on two raised cartouches Yasuchika Masahide ( Nara School, Early Edo period, late 17th/early 18th cents. ). Surface hammered and punched to create the impression of a rock face , also using the natural folding of the plate to good effect . The iris flower is accurately shown , the leaves of the plant resembling a sword blade, a great symbol of victory in battle. On the reverse , near the bottom we see what appear to be chips and gouges in the surface . The tsuba was given a worn effect and made this way , the inlay extending into the ' damaged ' areas. Although heavily suggestive of military aspiration , the design also evokes a longing for the peace of a gentle spring day. Acquired direct from Japan some 16 years ago.

Item No. 279 Tsuba in Makie 8.32 cm x 7.80 cm x 0.65 cm Subject of dragons by a Makie artist called Momoe , made in the autumn of Manen 1 ( 1860 ) when he was 63 years old. A rare 160 + year old leather based tsuba , again the craftmanship speaks for itself. A prime example , in my view , of the Japanese ability to picture dragons that you can believe in , unlike the cartoon characters in the chinese versions. Bought on ebay direct from Japan over 20 years ago.

Re. Item No. 278 Or perhaps a Portugese ?

Item No. 278 Iron Tsuba with shakudo , gold and copper 7.51 cm x 7.16 cm x 0.54 cm Subject of a European, possibly a Dutchman , with his matchlock gun and hunting dog ( definitely a male ). Signed Toshinaga with kao, early 1700's. A foreign devil caricature of a huntsman wearing his best outfit and generally lording it about with the assistance of his canine companion. Early Nara school piece in good original condition. Ex. Roland Hartman collection Ex. Edward Wrangham collection

Re Item No. 277 Papers / Hakogaki ( outside of lid ) / Hakogaki ( inside of lid ) as promised... Thanks !

Hi Steve , I will try to take some pictures and post them on the board in the next few days. Regards

Item No. 277 Iron Tsuba with sahari and gold 8.24 cm x 7.77 cm x 0.45 cm Subject of a basket weave fence in front of Holly branches. Can anyone identify the inlaid characters at 11 o'clock ? This tsuba by Teiei ( Kunitomo / Hazama Group Artists ) dating from late 17th/early 18th cent. In very good condition for a piece 300 year old plus. With inscription by Kanichi Sato ( Kanzan ) on box. NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papered.

Re Item No. 276 A few extra pics to give a better idea of the texturing etc. Thanks, everyone for your interest !

Hi Steve, Thanks for the examples , there looks to be a fair degree of similarity - one for the shinsa I suspect. Regards

Item No. 276 Tsuba in sentoku with shibuichi and gold 7.95 cm x 6.96 cm x 0.28 cm Subject of snails signed Otsuryuken Shozui ( 1696 - 1769 ). Therefore dates to approx middle 18th cent. Unusual subject matter purportedly by the student of Toshinaga and founder of Hamano school. Can anyone give an opinion on this or possibly look in Wakayama or Haynes ? Delicate and subtle engraving and carving work to both sides with gold inlaid feelers ( horns ) and slime trails . The textures of the stone lantern on the reverse are also worthy of mention. I will try to take some better pictures and post in the next few days .

Item No. 275 Tsuba in shibuichi with shakudo and gold and silver details 5.02 cm x 4.08 cm x 0.38 cm Subject of leaping carp with water plants. Signed Tsuchiya Takachika with kakihan , and dated - a day in the tenth month , in the year of Kanoto-tori. ie. Bunkyo 1 1861 Smallest tsuba in the collection , showing good workmanship , as one would anticipate from a student of Tsuchiya Yasuchika . The treatment of the water weeds and the Lotus flower are matched by the intricate modelling of the leaping carp in shakudo - a model of persistence and therefore much admired. My thanks to George Miller for his invaluable assistance on this piece.

Item No. 274 A Kozuka in shibuichi with gold, silver and shakudo Subject of Onna San no Miya ( the Third Princess ) and Prince Genji's wife. Carved by Hamano Teruchika at the turn of 18/19th cents. As expected , a finely detailed and inlaid piece depicting the moment when the princess's cat escapes onto the balcony . Kashiwagi then gets a brief view of the princess as she tries to retrieve her pet and falls in love with her.