Matsunoki

Howard, dealing firstly with the construction, the dish itself will be copper and the rim and foot rim could be gilded copper or brass. Silver was rarely used for the actual body (apart from some ginbari enamels), not even by the likes of Namikawa or Hayashi. These dishes usually employ a brass alloy for the wires which is sometimes gilded. Silver wires are found on more expensive examples but from the images we can’t really tell what your wiring on the front is made from. The swirl pattern on the back will most likely be brass and the swirls are there to hold the counter enamel paste securely during firing. The reverse needs to be counter enamelled to keep it stable during firing or it distorts and cracks upon cooling. These plates and dishes were made in vast quantities during Meiji (this is Meiji C1890 ish) by numerous scattered studios and unless signed (very few are) it is not possible to pinpoint a maker…..there were many. They were aimed as usual at the gaijin market in Japan and later for mass export. The quality can vary hugely as can the aesthetics of the design. Hawks, falcons and owls were all massively popular subjects in Japan and yours shows a Goshawk (??haven’t actually checked the bird book) hitting a nest of sparrows. It looks a better quality piece with lovely colour graduation etc. The chick falling out of the nest is a bit sad🙂 Overall looks to be a better quality piece with a dramatic scene. ……hopefully not damaged?

Sorry Mick but it is reserved. If the deal falls through I’ll message you. Apologies. Colin.

Tsuba is 100% fake so chances are the rest follows suit.

Oh noooooooooo, the pain!!!!

Brilliant and interesting. I’d never seen this mark on any of the many Nogawa pieces I’ve handled. Probably very early in their output. They progressed onto making some of the very finest hira zogan mixed metal items, even their “average” was well above most other studios. Nogawa and Inoue developed at roughly the same time and pace but Nogawa always had the edge in quality and artistic terms…..imo.

Buy a thinner tsuba or reduce the length of the habaki by maybe 2-3mm (tricky if it’s a good foiled ptype) Just quick thoughts. I’d go thinner tsuba……much easier. .

Workmanship looks like commercial Innoue to me and they sometimes used a simple gilt seal signature…..however I couldn’t find an exact match and I cannot recall ever seeing this exact seal. That studio might be an Avenue worth exploring on the net.

Haven’t had my invite yet🙂……won’t get one now if they read what I’ve just said above. It’s difficult for the Dept Heads of small fringe markets to get any sort of serious corporate support when competing against Fine Art, Modern and Contemporary Art etc where the sale of one minor picture makes multiples of a whole Japanese sale. Still, they are giving it a go via the timed auction route thus keeping overheads down. It will be difficult for them to regain the Japanese scene given they let Bonhams just take it from them years ago……not that Bonhams are much better! Interesting to see if they publish the results.

Businessman Patrick Drahi bought them in 2019 which took them back into private ownership. A while ago a Middle Eastern venture capitalist outfit injected a load of money. Over the years Sothebys has fallen foul of its own ambitions and made some poor expansions and acquisitions…..losing their way a bit. I think the new guy has pruned a lot of the top heavy management structure and such a small market as “Japanese Art” counts for little within their priorities. They need to decide if they are auctioneers, dealers, or what the hell…..and consolidate their core business when they decide what it is…….imo! It will be interesting to see if their “personal shopper to the mega rich” machine can save this sale. Frankly I’m surprised they can even be bothered to hold a sale like this.

Having a new shirasaya made for a blade after it has been polished is fraught with danger. The precise process of fitting it to the blade requires much handling and thus scope for scuffs, scratches etc no matter how careful the sayashi is. Usually the s/s is made before polish I think. Finding small bits of wood on the blade is common especially if the s/s (or saya) has some age but it’s not something I would worry about if it is just the odd very small piece provided the blade is kept oiled and stored in the correct orientation ie edge up. It’s a tricky decision. Personally I’d just leave it and observe regularly.

Emil, it is very possible that the small dots are the remains of some tiny rust pits that have mostly been removed by the polisher but have now filled up with uchiko powder. If toothpick is too big try a wooden cocktail stick with very fine sharp point and use gently with great care! Rotating the fine point in the pit might reveal what the white stuff is. Can’t stress enough how careful you need to be …..use high power magnifier but let the oil sit on it for a while before trying.

Hi David, thank you for your past custom! …….obviously looking forward to seeing you again🙂! . PM me if you want anything in particular that maybe isn’t shown.

Re swords I’m taking to the November Birmingham Arms Fair…..In addition to the images posted earlier thought I’d show some of the descriptions…..something might be of interest. By all means PM me if you wish. I’m there to sell, not to pose and not to take ‘em home! Hope to see some of you there. Happy to consider part exchanges on any high quality antique pistols or seriously good Kinko tsuba.

Sothebys are not that “hot” on Japanese and their estimates are usually ridiculously high. I suspect not much of anything in this sale will sell unless their marketing machine is in full swing behind the scenes. Let’s see.

Nice bronze of Kwannon. Can’t find the signature/inscription, sorry. Looks late Meiji/Taisho.

?photo of whole item possible?

Definitely……as was 90% of Meiji Kyoto and Osaka “Satsuma”. Artists/kilns/retailers/studios moved very quickly to satisfy the voracious demands of the Western markets……in a variety of qualities.

Dai Nihon Satsuma Hododa As per…..

Nice late Koto (imo) Mino mumei small Tanto blade in Japanese polish. Beautiful “package” (imo🙂) My preference has always been for unmolested mounted blades rather than shirasaya. You can sometimes get a small hint on the personality/status of the last Japanese owner if things don’t get messed around with in the meantime.

Hello all. I will be continuing to offer items from my collection at the next Birmingham Arms Fair. As I have said before, I am not a dealer and am selling purely to return to collecting Meiji Artworks. This Arms Fair is my sole outlet but I’m always happy to meet up elsewhere if necessary. Obviously more relevant to UK residents. All will be priced to sell and they include a sumptuously mounted Tachi, finely mounted Tanto, Wakizashi and Aikuchi plus many tsuba, menuki and kozuka etc. Most blades are in good original Japanese polish, some with papers. None have been messed around with! I will add more detailed descriptions in a few days but for now…… All the best. Colin

Thank you all. Hmmm, some confusion….just my luck! Does an image of the kozuka help at all? A cuckoo before Mt. Fuji in the moonlight…. (nicer “in hand”).

With grateful thanks in advance. All the best.

Fake and so is the blade i think.

I’m sure it would fool many newbies but imo it’s a total faked up jobbie. Adding to what you said Brian, the tsuka is not an original Japanese one. It is carved wrongly and looks like the wrong type of wood. You can indeed see casting seams in the tsuba and fuchi…..modern. The seppa looks fake. I’m not at all knowledgeable on Gunto but could it be the top section of an NCOs sword dressed up?

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