Fuchi Kashira School? Artist

[manfrommagnum]

Anyone have an educated guess? Have not taken apart and looked for mei yet.

 

[docliss]

Dear Michael, it would be more courteous to fellow members of the NMB if you were to make some attempt at personally examining your fuchi-gashira before posting fresh and acceptable photographs.

 

With kind regards, John L.

[manfrommagnum]

There is no mei.

 

Mike

[manfrommagnum]

[manfrommagnum]

Soooo...

[Ford Hallam]

sooo...photo is still not much good    the focus is on the first strip of hilt binding not on the actual fuchi. But from what I can make out I'd offer the following.

 

The waves seem fairly well delineated and shaped. The gold details seem fairly lightly gilded ( fire or murcury gilding rather than a more robust foil application called uttori) this suggests a later date of manufacture, perhaps the latter half of the Edo period.

 

Stylistically they appear to be the work of the Mino school.

 

The Kiku or Chrysanthemum flower is a symbol of longevity in Japanese tradition but also (in a more stylised form) the crest of the Imperial family.  The chrysanthemum and waves/water motif (kiku-nami, kiku-sui) is quite common in Japanese decorative art. The ebb and flow of waves may suggest strategic flexibility.

[manfrommagnum]

Thanks Ford. That is helpful. I am wondering what artists i should google if i am looking for a matching tsuba. Might you have some ideas?

[ROKUJURO]

Michael,

what is a match? We have been discussing this in another thread on NMB recently. Flowers on a SHIBUICHI FUCHI and KASHIRA might perfectly go with an iron TSUBA depicting insects or other animals, depending on the time of the year. It depends on your personal taste and your feeling, Studying Japanese myths and tales may give you an idea of what is seen fitting in the Japanese soul and understanding. But you may also go your own way - it's your sword!

Sometimes a well made but plain TSUBA without decoration can underline the rest of the KOSHIRAE.   

[Stephen]

I offered up this, but its not close enough for him

https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/eng/product_details_e.php?prod_no=TSU-793