Matsunoki

https://www.bonhams....oss-seven-centuries/

@Yumso @Bugyotsuji Mystery solved. Thanks to you both. Debating whether to try and buy it but the auction is a long way away and it’s in a glazed case so shipping is a worry. I just like unusual quirky things like this, they make you smile…..but I know a certain big London dealer likes them as well☹️

Thanks Piers. That makes sense but there sure are some puzzling stages to the process! What are the girls doing indoors with what looks like a huge violin bow, and then and there is another putting something through a hand operated carding machine? I find it really fascinating,and I have no doubt it’s a totally accurate depiction of whatever it is!

They sure are…..how about this one!

Coming up soon at auction in the UK is this large silk embroidered and painted scene depicting what? It looks great quality and Meiji would be my bet but what are they doing? Any ideas?……Piers??, anyone? Thanks! @Bugyotsuji

Paris, just an opinion but I would describe these as being of very modest quality and definitely not Goto. I do not think they depict a specific legend or story

The drum with cockerel/chicken perched upon it is generally accepted as symbolic of peace……”the drums of war beat no more” type of thing. I’ve never encountered it in connection with Amaterasu. See legends in Japanese art…….

Memory cell has sparked…..I sold it through Sothebys Bond Street eons ago and it was bought by the (late) Barry Davis…a Mayfair based Japanese Art dealer with a stunning gallery. He was sitting near me in the sale and I heard him say something like…”when you see one like that you’ve got to buy it” . It was actually more like 35 years ago and I believe I did quite well on it🙂. The image above does not do it justice. Memories of exciting times.

The 2 above show the stage, drum, curtain etc for a gagaku performance. out of interest I owned the lower (brass) one in Dale’s image above. Sold it over twenty years ago. Bought if for £100 from memory. Those days long gone!

@Brian…..thanks. Read the article and opted for “simpleimageresizer”.After some stumbling and mumbling I think I’ve got it which is a minor miracle. Apologies for previous large file uploads.

Thanks Thomas but I mostly use an iPad I do try to screenshot and crop but that seems very erratic in its results. Sometimes drastic reduction, sometimes hardly any.

Trouble is some of us old twits aren’t that good on the tech. I did try and download an image resizer and got into a huge mess trying to use it. Anyone recommend a safe and EASY one?

Methinks the pot is calling the kettle black.

Martin, Google “Japanese boys day” or “Japanese children’s day” and “Genpuku ceremony” This will give you a good understanding of both the annual boys (children’s) day celebrations and also the boys “coming of age” ceremonies. Basically a sword of greatly scaled down proportions ie fit for a child was often gifted on boys coming of age and also often displayed on the annual children’s day. These ceremonies go way back into distant Japanese see history. Such swords are usually of very modest quality and often carry dubious Mei of famous smiths. Having said that, some can be quite fancy reflecting the wealth of the family. Hope this helps. Best.Colin.

Not sure why this one really appeals to me but it’s a favourite. Large katana, old plum blossom stump before the moon. Maybe because it suggests “there’s life in the old dog”🙂🙂

Just an opinion but the story sounds a load of hyped up rubbish. I’m not qualified to comment on the validity of the Mei but to me it looks like a tired blade (no hamachi). I think they are trying to make it sound something very special when it is possibly simply a boys day sword (iwazashi?). Of course I could be wrong, but if it was my money I’d pass.

Ditto to what Ian said.

Solid gold? Have they been tested?

Hi Brian, the answer to this conundrum can (imo) be both very complex yet also very simple. It is best considered with no knowledge on the £price/value of whatever it is we are looking at. With the commercial aspect stripped away we can react more purely to the object sitting before us and that is then an honest “gut reaction” unswayed by £ or $. As a dealer for many years I was always interested to observe how potential customers approached objects. Some looked immediately at the price tag, others looked at the object first, often discussing it with no knowledge of the price. Of course value and price are different anyway but something can indeed be “high end” in £ but maybe not so high in our own unique undefined subconscious aesthetic/artistic preferences. The appreciation of any art form is a highly personal thing and it is very elusive when you try to articulate it. Something may tug at us very strongly (and we don’t know why) yet leave someone else totally unmoved. Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder. …..just some vague wanderings on a Sunday.

I think Bruce is correct…..the Kikumon has been added later for “effect” and whoever did it has made a total mess of it sadly. Best to leave it as only a highly trained professional could safely remove it. Don’t try it yourself!

Subject is Gama Sennin and his three legged toad. Google that name and you’ll find out all about him! He is quite a character.

Just as an aside. I don’t think @Jacques D. would have seen the ones I highlighted earlier. I think he has me on “ignore” 🙂🙂having told me he will not answer me.

….and one of the other images …

Just in case @Jacques D. missed the red circles…..enlarged for his benefit.

You are totally wrong and making such comments based on guesswork when someone is enquiring about the nie structure is both unnecessary and unhelpful. This is a beautiful blade in excellent condition and with a high quality polish.