Umetada Narishige (Shigenari) - genuine?

[Surfson]

Hi All. Just took a deep breath and bought this tsuba. Although I couldn't find confirmed examples of the mei, and according to Haynes, he signed both Narishige and Shigenari, I find the work to be very pleasing and the piece to be well executed. I welcome unvarnished opinions about the tsuba and whether the mei is shoshin. Cheers, Bob

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131055254840?ss ... 1439.l2649

[John A Stuart]

I think not for sale yet eh? Moved to "Tousogu' forum. John

[Surfson]

Thanks John, my bad. I have no intention of selling, gimei or not, assuming I still like it when I have it in hand.

[raven2]

Hi Robert,

 

I was looking at that one also. I like it quite a lot. :D

[Surfson]

Fred, were you, or anybody else, able to find examples of the mei? I really like the way the rabbit is cut and the waves are formed. The only other wave example that I could find of Shigenari had waves with many more parallel lines, but it wasn't papered. A couple of Shigenari tsuba went for big money at Sotheby's or Christie's, but there were no photos attached to the Google entries. Do any of you kodogu experts have an opinion about this tsuba or this mei? I usually don't think it's worth the expense to submit mounts for shinsa. Cheers, Bob

[raven2]

Robert,

 

I really didn't do any research into the mei. Sorry.

[Pete Klein]

Not found in either the, 'Shinsen Kinko Meikan' or Wakayama's, 'Toso Kinko Meijei Taikei'. Sorry.

For whatever it's worth it's probably OK as it's not a maker whose mei would likely be copied. If in doubt, send to shinsa.

[Drago]

I asked about the signature here: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=17441

[docliss]

Robert, Umetada Shigenari’s mei is illustrated on pp.153c and d of Kinkō Meikan. As with many of these illustrations, the mei are not very clear and certainly would not scan well onto NMB but, as far as I can see, that on your tsuba looks pretty good. John L.

[Pete Klein]

Here is the linked picture above with a scan of Shigenari from the Shinsen Kinko Meikan for comparison:

 

 

 

This is from the revised edition so it's on page 128.

[raiden]

I used to own this tsuba years ago, I have always believed the signature to be correct.

[Soshin]

Hi Bob,

 

I almost bid on this tsuba on eBay but didn't as I am not allowed to get anymore tsuba until the Tampa show. Umetada Narishige is a middle level Umetada artist of the mainline school located in Nishijin, Kyoto working during the mid Edo Period. It is my opinion that the tsuba in question has an aesthetic signature and the workmanship is consistent for this artist but shinsa is the best approach to confirm this. The next overseas shinsa is at the Tampa show next February in the USA. It is being run by the NTHK-NPO.

[Surfson]

Thanks for all of the new replies and information guys. I just received the tsuba today and it is more pleasing in hand than in the photos. David, do you think it worth the investment in shinsa? If it papers, will it add much value? For myself, I am convinced that it is likely shoshin. Cheers, Bob

[Surfson]

Like a dummy I didn't find the mei in the kinko meikan since I looked up Narishige instead of Shigenari, even though by then I knew the latter to be the more common signature - oh well. Thanks again for all the help and opinions. Cheers, Bob

[Soshin]

David, do you think it worth the investment in shinsa? If it papers, will it add much value? For myself, I am convinced that it is likely shoshin.

 

Hi Bob,

 

That is a hard question and I might not be the best person to ask. Mike Y., Bob B., Curran, and other high level collectors and/or dealers pass more high end pieces and money through their hands in one weekend then what I see in a whole year. I sold a NTHK-NPO papered tsuba at a fairly sizable lost in October. I more than made up for it on two other tsuba I sold one papered and one not earlier this year. In the end I seems to just break even when all is said and done. The best advice I can offer take it or leave it is if you're interested in learning more about the Umetada school I would submit it and see if it papers. If it does or doesn't I am sure you will learn something.

 

 

P.S. Again I would like to state nice tsuba. I wish there were more like it on eBay. :D

[Surfson]

Thanks David. My inclination is to not paper it since I'm convinced that it is shoshin. I do think that I have at least one other Umetada tsuba and will have to pull that one out and compare and contrast with this one. I am not particularly active in selling pieces that I like, but when the time comes, I suppose I would just guarantee the mei if the next owner wants to paper it. For a piece at this valuation, I don't think that getting papers is cost effective. Cheers, Bob

[Soshin]

Hi Bob,

 

That was bit of what I was hintting at in my original post. If this Umetada tsuba was from one of the generations of Shigeyoshi in iron or soft metal or one of the other top level artists I would go for the shinsa for sure. If it was a nice Ko-Umetada tsuba I would yes as well. What got me into selling is seeing nicer and nicer examples in hand and not having the money. :lol: