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A GENUINE EDO PERIOD TEPPO NETSUKE


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Recently a thread was started by a new member yoroi-doshi pointing out a Teppo Netsuke that he had acquired. This particular netsuke had as I later found out had been on a Japanese Auction site I believe the auction site is called Ameba ... here is a link : http://ameblo.jp/jrp2ae2xx3/entry-11938831336.html. It was subsequently listed on eBay.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Netsuke, ... they were a type of toggle usually with two holes called himotoshi ( although a simple ring was sometimes employed attached to the Netsuke ) for the attachment of a cord from which you hung an Inro ( medicine container ), or writing paraphernalia such as an ink brush container and ink ( Yatate ). or a tobacco pouch and pipe (Tabako Ire and Kiseru ). The Toggle was slipped under the belt ( Obi ) of the traditional Kimono and allowed to hang over the top, thus securing the above various items called ( Sagemono ... literally hanging things ) to be carried about without loss. During the mid to late Edo period and on into the Meiji Period it became the fashion to wear a Netsuke and they became in reality Status Symbols among the Merchant Class. Samurai never really took up the wearing of Sagemono. The subject matter and materials used run of the gamut of most any subject and material. Fine examples today often run into thousands of dollars for these minute accessories. Many are considered fine art.

Among the rarest of Netsuke are the Teppo Netsuke fashioned to look like miniature Matchlock Pistols. Along with all other types of Netsuke, copies or Fakes abound particularly those found on eBay ... Fake Teppo Netsuke abound. I would guess that 99.5 % of the Teppo Netsuke seen today are Fakes.

Occasionally a genuine example will show up at one of the major auction houses and invariably bring a good price. Virtually all of these are however still what I call " tourist " netsuke made during the Meiji Period and exported to Europe as trinkets and never actually worn by the Japanese as true Netsuke.

In the example I am about to describe, ... not only is it a Genuine example but I am reasonably sure in stating that it was not only worn but made during the Late Edo Period which makes it VERY rare As we go thru the photos which the new owner has graciously consented to use for educational purposes, ... I will endeavour to point out the attributes that the example shows vis a vis a copy or Fake.

 

Ok, .... lets get at it. In the first photograph we see a side view of the Teppo Netsuke. Note the nice even patina on the steel. No artificial rust here. Also note the care that has gone into the detail, ... the nicely formed serpentine, even the cross groves to imitate the iron hammers of for instance the Kunitomo among other schools. Also note the small hole thru the serpentine head to accept a bamboo sliver to keep the match in place as found on many full size Teppo but rarely if ever on a fake. The correct amaooi ( barrel protector in brass ), the sear protector ( Ibo-kakushi ), the washer around the barrel retaining pin ( zagane ). Some or most of these features are not found on a FAKE. Also note the ring below the barrel to attach a cord. This although present on many fakes are often in the wrong place. This one is substantial and correctly placed.

 

In the next photograph the pan is open revealing a vent ( himichi ), ... just like a full size teppo. In addition the owner tells me that this vent opens directly into the barrel ( something you NEVER see on a fake ).

 

In the next photograph, the barrel has been removed and we can plainly see the proper and accurate inletting in the stock as well as the bamboo barrel retaining pin ( mekugi ). NOTE: I just had an email from the owner stating in this case the mekugi is made of brass rather than bamboo. My error as they are normally made of bamboo but on occasion brass.

 

In the next photograph we can see the breach plug ( bisen ) ... and although round ( sometimes also encountered on full size teppo ) even though most are square. The maker has also placed a slot for the removal ( by unscrewing ) the bisen for ease of cleaning.

 

In the next photograph, we see that the maker has signed his work .... Sadakatsu . A signature on a fake is almost unheard of. Also notice the strength of the signature chisling. This is the cutting of a confident hand.

 

Finally a photograph giving some scale to this wonderful Teppo Netsuke. This Teppo Netsuke is owned by one of our newest members Mr. Arthur Greenberg ( yoroi-doshi ). I sincerely congratulate him on his find and for kindly giving me permission to do this article. I truly hope he continues to follow the NMB and bring his expertise to our attention. I will follow this article up immediately with some examples of questionable and outright fakes.

 

As always any errors or omissions are mine alone.

 

 

 

... Ron Watson

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Now for some questionable and/or outright fake TEPPO NETSUKE :

 

PHOTOGRAPH number 1 is questionable as to being genuine. If genuine it is of the Meiji era and probably made for the Tourist or Export market.

Note the ring is correctly placed, ... but the barrel is not only CAST but the deep pitting and rust ( patina ) is extreme ... leading me to have suspicions.

I would have to remove the barrel to see if this is as badly corroded before I would consider it genuine.

 

 

 

This next netsuke ( PICTURE NUMBERED 2 ) due to the sizing of the photograph does not look quite the same as the netsuke in PHOTOGRAPH # 1, but it is practically identical when not squashed by my shrinking the size of the original photograph. Probably from the same workshop as the previous example, .... certainly no earlier than Meiji and to my eyes questionable until dismantled to examine the underside of the barrel and if as rusty ... then little doubt but a TOURIST piece meant for export and in my eyes not a true Netsuke.

 

 

 

This next netsuke ( PICTURE NUMBERED 3 ) NOTE : The HIMOSHI ( cord ring in this case ) is too far back to have balanced the weight of the Powder Flask ( Sagemono ) in this example, which makes the Netsuke Teppo subject to question. The Japanese Netsuke makers were very careful about how placement of the cord hanging attachment, and this is just wrong. Also, ... the flask has been erroneously drilled ( cord attachment hole ) in wrong place for a powder flask ( the powder is going to leak out and NO the owner stated there is no tube to stop this from happening ). Done no doubt to make a more saleable ensemble. A very suspicious set.

 

I could go on and on with pictures of questionable netsuke and outright fakes, ... but I think this should be enough to give you an idea. By the way many NETSUKE COLLECTORS would because they want to believe that anything supporting a Sagemono is genuine so long as it does the job and isn't made of resin is still a netsuke would almost certainly call these Netsuke .... SADLY. Thank God, ... Nihonto and Teppo and Kodogu collectors are not quite so naïve.

 

Now just having an email from Piers, ... I should state that NOT ALL genuine TEPPO NETSUKE are working models. There are many that are of varying qualities. One must judge the workmanship, wear, wear-ability as well before making too rash of a judgement. Thank you Piers for bring my attention to this oversight when doing this article. I have deliberately left out any number of examples which can be found on eBay as although a genuine example shows up ... it would be rare. What you will normally see on eBay are out and outright FAKES made to deceive.

 

 

 

The opinions written are those of myself and perhaps somewhat biased ... but honest in my opinion.

 

 

 

... Ron Watson

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  • 3 weeks later...

Dear All,

There are at present two supposed Teppo ( matchlock ) netsuke listed on eBay. One is started at $ 850.00, the other at $ 950.00 .... both are listed as being in Japan. Interesting enough on Jauce ( a Japanese auction ) ... the exact same two are listed at 28000 Yen ( $ 235.00 US ) , the other at 32000 Yen ( $ 265.00 US ). BEWARE.

 

... Ron Watson

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Dear Jason,

Here you go .... http://www.jauce.com/category-leaf/2084 ... age=1&n=20 Actually this is a better link : http://www.jauce.com/

Over on the right hand side is an orange area that says Register.

I have only bought a couple of items but had no trouble. Beware though that by the time they are finished handing your item over to ship, you will be paying around 30 - 40 % more for their handling fees, etc.

... Ron Watson

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Dear Jason,

The Japanese are in many ways still a closed society. In many countries Spanish is spoken, in many countries French is spoken, in many counties English is spoken, ... but ONLY in Japan is Japanese spoken. The average Japanese may have some English language training but rarely use it. Many members of our NMB speak English as a second language. When I was in France, although I tried to converse in French, ... I often found myself being told ... " I do speak English "... or ... " Je regrette, mais votre français est terrible, peut-être si nous conversons en Anglais " I often felt terrible that most people under 40 years of age could speak very passable English yet I whose country is Canada have two official languages English and French and yet I could not converse properly yet I read French text fairly well. Virtually all sellers on JAUCE are Japanese and only conversant in Japanese so contacting the foreign buyer is virtually impossible. English being the International language of business seems to mean nothing to the average Japanese business man let alone the ordinary Japanese working man selling off a few flea market items for an extra Yen.

... Ron Watson

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Wow no one cheaper? How is there no way to just bid ourselves on Japanese sites and have them ship directly? Seems insane.

Jason, due to the high cost of shipping large and or heavy items, buying from Japan can be expensive, smaller items will be much more reasonable. I would recommend Kelly Schmidt for those who want to buy more expensive items from Japan but would prefer to deal with someone who speaks fluent English. Kelly is Canadian I believe and he lives in Japan. He can ask sellers questions for you, bargain, bid and reship any won items. If you find the item yourself he charges a %15 fee (6000yen minimum per item) in addition to local shipping and international shipping fees. I have purchased several expensive and delicate items through Kelly over a several year period without any problems.

 

schmidt_araki@yahoo.co.jp

 

Japanese auctions, at your fingertips, and with a friendly, human touch

These items are now on Yahoo Auctions by other sellers in Japan. I do not own these items, so I don’t have to keep expensive stock and don’t have to charge high prices to you! You cannot bid from outside Japan… but I will bid for you! Please note that my descriptions are translations of the sellers’ assertions and as such I take no responsibility for their accuracy. Please judge age, quality, etc. by the pictures. There are more pictures available! Click on the link! Auctions in Japan are no claim/no return, so see all pictures, ask all questions and check your import restrictions (materials, size, etc.) BEFORE bidding. 2.5cm=1 inch. 30cm=1foot.

Your costs: auction end price+local shipping to my house+my fee (see below)+international shipping+paypal fee.

International shipping is based on weight and I will not know the total weight until after I inspect, repack, and weigh. Further, Paypal is applied later to the sum of item, my fee, local shipping, and international shipping of the item. But hey, let’s save some money! Instead of me requesting your Paypal payment (4% fee), you may be able to send the total to me as a “personal/gift payment” and pay a much reduced fee! You may also pay by bank transfer, or very cheap fee International Postal Money Order (IPMO) if they are available in your country. Much better exchange rate than Paypal! Specify your payment method when you place your bid. A Paypal deposit may be required for new clients, certain items, or for other reason at my discretion (it will be completely refunded to you if auction not won).

My fee - what you get for your money: Educated, custom-searching for your wanted items, HUMAN translations of item descriptions, asking of questions to the seller, strategic bidding (I’m not a machine bidding for you!), negotiation where possible, inspection upon receiving the item, safe repacking, AND a friendly, smooth transaction. Nobody else does all this for you! My fee is 20% of the auction end price/7000yen minimum per item. Often I will use part of my fee to help you win. And you pay ONLY if we win! My auction name is stfxn761. You can watch the auction at end time and see when we’re winning. You may also wish to check the auction links after auctions are finished so you can learn current market prices.

 

Self-searching: Want to save some money?? Then self-search, and pay a lower fee! For items you found yourself and ask me to buy, my fee is 15% of the auction end price/6000yen minimum per item. You pay ONLY if we win! I can teach you how. Just tell me what items you want, and I can give you some kanji character keywords that you can cut and paste into the search field. For example:

General antique items: 箪笥 tansu-drawer/cabinet, 硯箱 suzuribako-calligraphy box, 船箪笥 funadansu-ship chest, 銭箱 zenibako-coin chest, 人形 ningyou- dolls, 馬絵 ema-shrine pictures, 版画 hanga-woodblock print, 欄間 ranma-transom (above door), 擬宝珠 giboshi-onion-shaped orb (temple railing), 仏像 butsuzou-buddha statue, 鉄瓶 tetsubin-iron teapot, 銀瓶 ginbin-solid silver teapot, 自在鍵, 自在鉤jizaikagi-teapot hook, pole hanger, 鐘 kane-bell, 行灯andon-lantern, 灯篭 tourou-stone,bronze lantern, 蹲, 蹲踞 tsukubai-garden water pot, ボンボニエール bonboniere- silver candy box (often gift from emperor!), 笄 kanzashi-hair pin, 印籠 inro-obi belt medicine box, 根付 netsuke-obi ornaments, 籠 かご kago-basket, 花籠 hanakago-flower basket, アイヌ Ainu-Hokkaido indigenous people, 信楽Shigaraki pottery, 伊万里 imari pottery, 久谷 kutani pottery.

Samurai items: 武具bugu-samurai things, 陣笠jingasa-hat, 兜kabuto-helmet, 額当て hitaiate-forehead protector, 前立maedate-helmet front decoration, しころ shikoro-neckguard, めんぽおmenpo-face mask, 面頬menpo-face mask, 総面頬soumenpo-full face mask, 具足gusoku-matched armor sets, 鎧yoroi-armor, 甲冑kacchuu-armor, 胴 dou-cuirass, 胸当て muneate-chest protector, 袖 sode-shoulder protector, 籠手 kote-gauntlet sleeves, 臑当て suneate-shin guards, 軍配gunbai-war fan, 采配 saihai-battle wand, 鐙abumi-stirrups, 馬具 bagu-horse things, 武者 musha-samurai, 侍 samurai, 刀katana-sword, 鍔 tsuba-sword hand guard, 柄 tsuka-handle/hilt, 縁頭 fuchikashira-hilt ends, 目貫 menuki-hilt decorations, 小柄 kozuka-scabbard knife, 笄 kougai-scabbard tool, 鞘saya-scabbard、刀箱 katanabako-sword tansu/drawer/cabinet, 槍 yari-spear

How to cut and paste: 1. Place your computer’s cursor pointer at the point where you want to start cutting. 2. While holding down the left button on your mouse, move your mouse so that the words you want to cut are all highlighted. 3. Press Ctrl and C. 4. Move your cursor pointer to the place you want to paste (the search field). 5. Press Ctrl and V.

Go to Yahoo auctions http://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/ and enter the keyword next to 検索 (search). Then, on the next page, at the top, click onすべてのカテゴリand then on アンティーク、コレクション (antique, collection). Then click on 検索(search) at the right. You can get a “pictures only” screen by clicking on画像を大きく and to the right, increase the number of items per page from 20 to 100 if you wish. By playing with the options just below that, you can order the items by time or price. Advanced searches with multiple keywords can also be done by clicking on 条件を指定 next to the 検索 button, and then entering all the kanji keywords (for example, just cut and paste the above kanji words, deleting the English) in the right hand box 少なくとも1つを含む (auctions including at least one keyword). Then click on アンティーク、コレクション (antique, collection) below. Then go to the bottom of the screen and click on 検索(search).

Or, browse various sellers. Here are links to some of my favorites! Just cut and paste into your browser. There will be an intermediate screen, so click again on the address closer to the bottom of the screen that says Yahoo オークション Yahoo Japan. Then, on each seller’s listing, click on 出品者のその他のオークションを見るat right side to see seller’s other items!

General Antiques (including some samurai):

Hanakiriko http://storeuser9.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/ ... aroman4649 small ornaments

Kobijutu_ko http://storeuser10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp ... de=1&apg=1 high grade interior ornaments

yumekoobou http://storeuser10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp ... 0jp&mode=1 high grade interior. teapots, okimono, lanterns, dolls, hibachi…

imanam97 http://storeuser8.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/ ... 0jp&mode=1 ceramics, okimono, wood items…

gotaitouti288 http://storeuser6.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/ ... aitouti288 teapots, buddhist…

kobijutu_k1 http://sellinglist.auctions.yahoo.co.jp ... obijutu_k1

galleriaricho http://sellinglist.auctions.yahoo.co.jp ... leriaricho tansu, tables, wood products, okimono, Korean goods…

shangri_la3jp http://storeuser5.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/ ... 0jp&mode=1 Menuki, tsubas, netsuke, obi clasps, combs, wallets, ceramics…

jikusai http://openuser.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp ... 0jp&mode=1 This seller will send screens to the US for around $500!!

aircool356911 http://openuser.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp ... 0jp&mode=1 scrolls

aloha11life http://storeuser1.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/ ... loha11life tansu, tables…

etsu624 http://openuser.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp ... 0jp&mode=1 dolls, interior

Mostly Samurai:

kanagawa_kottou http://openuser.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp ... 0jp&mode=1 will export blades! High quality! NEW!

fuji_5005 http://openuser.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp ... 0jp&mode=1 will export blades!

antique_hamaya http://storeuser1.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/ ... 0jp&mode=1 high grade tsubas and other sword goods will export blades!

kodougu77 http://openuser.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp ... 0jp&mode=1 will export blades! (6000 yen fee).

sengoku_54jp http://openuser.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp ... 0jp&mode=1 will export blades!

eiraku2014 http://sellinglist.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/user/eiraku2014? Will export blades!

abcdefg0001cause http://sellinglist.auctions.yahoo.co.jp ... g0001cause? Blades

takenoko_tikurin http://storeuser7.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/ ... ko_tikurin high grade samurai

yume_balloon http://openuser.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp ... 0jp&mode=1 sword items &n bsp;

tsun815815 http://openuser.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp ... 0jp&mode=1 okimono, some samurai

maruichi1939 http://openuser.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp ... 0jp&mode=1 samurai

 

Google Translator http://translate.google.com/?tl=ja Weblio Translator http://translate.weblio.jp/

 

After you find the items you want, copy and paste the links into a mail and send to me. If the translation wasn’t good, I can translate listing information, ask questions to the sellers for you, give advice and price estimates, and of course, you will need me to bid for you! Mail me if you have any questions!

Shipping rates Local shipping to my house (where I inspect and repack PROPERLY for international shipping) is usually around 1000 yen, up to 2500 yen for bigger pieces. International shipping rates are based on weight, but because these auctions are local only, the listings almost never say the weight. As I do not have the items in hand, I can give you only a rough EMS or SAL shipping estimate. If there is time before the auction closes, I can ask the seller the weight and calculate the cost for you. If you wish to estimate yourself, then click the following links for rates: EMS: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/charge ... ll_en.html SAL: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/charge ... 3_en.html#

 

 

I’m on Facebook!! See https://www.facebook.com/Japanese.antique.auctions Please “like” and “follow” my page! I’d also appreciate it if you’d recommend my page to any friends who might be interested in Japanese antiques. Let’s enjoy wonderful Japanese history!

 

Blades! 1. I can buy blades and all manner of blade related items for you on Winners! Search here: http://winners-auction.jp/

2. I have also discovered a very good nihonto shop not far from my home! They have a little English explanation on their page, but do not speak English. http://nihontou.jp/

3. I’ve found a blade exporter!!! We can export blades and spears you buy through me on Yahoo or Winners sites! Most sellers do not export, so this is an excellent service!

Standard fee to nearly all countries is $225. This includes legal paperwork, secure packing, track & trace shipping and insurance.

     Other buying services will NOT do this for you – even after you buy the item! They keep your money and say you must discard the item!!!

 

Armor Restore I now offer kabuto and armor restore items such as: kikubyo rivets for attaching shikoro to kabuto bowl, agemaki silk bows for the back of the kabuto, silk lace for shikoro restore, kabuto kan and munekan metal loops, etc. Also, all kinds of katana lace, boxes and accoutrements!

 

Sell your antiques! Do you have Japanese antiques in your collection that you’d like to sell?? Send me a mail with basic item information, and pictures attached, and I’ll forward to my customers all over the world! You can send directly, avoid ebay and expensive auction house fees, and make more money!!

Yoroshiku! (in Japanese: “please be kind to me!”)

 

Buy big items! I now offer BIG and LONG items like tansu, screens, spears, bows and other big items which are over the post office’s size and weight limits! Shipping estimates take a few days, so please mail me as soon as possible! Air and sea are available. Please tell me the item number, your full name and mailing address, and preferred shipping method. Professional packing is necessary and charged extra.

 

Note: From April 2014, consumer tax in Japan increased to 8%. Most sellers have until recently paid this from the winning bid. However, some charge it separately, or started to do so from April. It is shown in brackets next to the price. Please understand that I will have to add this to your winning bid.

 

Note: Items over 200,000 yen require permission to export from the Ministry of Culture. This can take two weeks. The application takes considerable time to prepare, and requires registered mail charges. My fee for this service is 6000 yen per item. Other buying services will NOT do this for you – even after you buy the item! They keep your money and say you must discard the item!!!

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  • 8 years later...
This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one, unless your post is really relevant and adds to the topic..

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