Naotane Photograph

[Ron STL]

Hopefully, I'm repeating an earlier request...but I've heard that "somewhere" there has been published an early photograph of shinshin-to smith Naotane (and possibly, Naokatsu). Photography was just beginning during Naotane's life, so a photograph seems possible. If such a photograph would exist, I suspect it was published in one of theToken Shibata catalogues from the 1980s, but that's just a guess. Mr. Shibata had many interesting articles in his cataogues. Today, going thru some of these I came across some of these articles that featured Taneaki, Toshihide, etc., but nothing on Naotane. Again, apologies if this is a repeat request on the NMB, but I must ask the question.

 

I find it very interesting to put a "face to the name" whenever possible. The Hizen-to scroll comes to mind along with photos of Meiji, Taisho and early Showa smiths.

 

Ron STL

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

If i'm not wrong, Naotane died in 1857.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ja ... tographers

[Clive Sinclaire]

Ron

There is a portrate of Masahide in the new Yoshihara / Kapp book "The Art of the Japanese Sword", page 84, but it is not a photograph.

Regards

Clive Sinclaire

[Ron STL]

Interesting link on photography in Japan, Clive. It looks doubtful that Naotane ever seen a camera, or Naokatsu, either. Best to hope for would be a painting such as the one you pointed out of Masahide. I bought the book last SF show from the authors but must admit, I've yet to "read" it. (You know how busy retirement is!) I love the old photographs relating to swords.

Ron STL

[george trotter]

There is a soft cover booklet on "The Gassan Tradition" done in 1989 by Ogawa Morihiro for Boston Fine Arts Museum. It is in English and Japanese.

It has a painting of

Gassan Sadayoshi born 1800 (I have held his work), studied under Suishinshi Masahide in Tokyo from 1820....died 1851.

Also, photos of

Gassan Sadakazu born 1836 (name Tsukamoto Shichirobei) adopted by Sadayoshi. Began swords by about 1855...died 1918.

Gassan Sadakatsu b. 1869 - 1943.

 

Although my info is not specifically about Naotane (I posted it because of the Masahide link), why not contact Token Shibata direct and ask them about the pic...also NBTHK in case it was in Token Bijutsu?...just a thought.

Most probably there are a lot of pics of pre and early Meiji working smiths, but finding them will take some luck.

Hope this helps,