Goto Joshin

[Dojikiri]

Hi Everybody,

I have long been puzzled about the output of the third Goto master Joshin (1512-1562), it seems that an awful lot of fittings are attributed to him, far more than one would have expected.

 

Joshin died in battle at the age of 51, he was a working samurai in the service of the Ashikaga Shogunate. Compared to his son the fourth master Goto Kojo (1529-1620) who lived to the age of 91, we see about 4 or 5 Joshin items to 1 by Kojo yet the latter’s working life was around say, 50 years compared to Joshin’s 30 years and he presumably worked in his spare time when not soldiering.

 

One answer would be that Joshin had many students whose work is ascribed to their master but I have as yet seen no evidence for this, for instance no attributions of work in Joshin’s big motif style to other artists, the work of Kojo is quite different to the high relief work of Joshin which seems to have gone out of fashion with his death.

 

I have attached images of two kozuka which seem to be in his style, the gold shishi/peonies  has been remounted and has incomplete nanako, probably because there is slight damage to the base of the gold there, I think this type were only worn by those of very high rank.

 

Any thoughts would be welcome.

 

Incidentally, I have a Joshin kogai which was tested by the British Museum during their shakudo research a few years ago, this has a gold content of 8%!

 

Alan

 

 

　

[Steve Waszak]

Alan,

 

You raise some very good questions here.  I haven't sufficient knowledge in this area to offer a useful comment, but I hope that your questions elicit some good responses. 

 

Cheers,

 

Steve

[Brian]

Alan, don't think the nanako can be "incomplete" as the surface appears lower than the original ground. Has to be a feature that was once there that is now missing?

Perhaps Ford would be able to identify and replace the shape missing? Maybe a closer pic of that area? Beautiful piece though.

[Dojikiri]

Hi Brian,

I have attached images to show more details, as you can see the nanako goes very wobbly, I think the nanako artist was frightened to go too close to the damage which is to the base of the gold not affecting the design, the missing metal is about 15mm by 1-2mm, I think it could be repaired OK.

 

Alan

[Brian]

Something missing there. Hence the damage. Email pics to Ford for a definitive answer.

[Greg F]

Could it be a replacement feature that doesnt quite cover the flat area?

 

Greg

[Dojikiri]

Brian,

Now I have looked at it again I think you are right, I must be going blind.

 

Alan