Natsuo Menuki Translation Please:

[Pete Klein]

If someone would be so kind to translate this picture Brian and I would be very grateful!

 

[Stephen]

seen where the Brain said else where he had not seen one with flower ....how soon we forget

 

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/20357-owner/

[Brian]

I can't remember yesterday, and you expect me to remember back to August?
Wow..thanks for the reminder. I think I had not picked up on the fact that they have the flower in their mouths...like an offering? Know them as usually playing among the peonies.
The above one has such an expressive face. Masterpiece indeed.
 

[Shugyosha]

Hi Pete,

 

Here's my best shot:

 

獅子牡丹図金物銘 家父作秋雄補

 

Shishi, botan theme kanamono mei: Kafu saku Akio ho (My father made this, Akio supplemented) - I'm struggling with a better way to put this.

 

銀地容彫金赤銅象嵌

 

Kin ji katachi bori kin shakudo zogan

 

Silver ground carved with full motif, gold and shakudo inlay

 

獅子と牡丹がともに表されるのは, 取り合わせ絶妙なものの例えと言われる.

 

It is said that the lion and the peony are represented together and this is an exquisite example.

 

すなわち獅子は百獣の王であり, 牡丹百花の王であり. これを力と美, 剛と柔の対比として表現したのである

 

[The use of the motifs of] the shishi who is king of one hundred beasts and the peony that is king of one hundred  flowers expresses the juxtaposition of their power and beauty, bravery and tenderness.

 

金物裏には夏雄息子, 秋雄による極めの短冊銘がある.

 

On the ura of this kanamono is a short signature by Akio, the son of Natsuo.

 

Someone will do this better than I can shortly, but I hope it helps.

 

Best,

John

[Pete Klein]

Thank you, John!  So very much appreciated!  I am thinking this is a tanzaku / kiwame mei then.  Most likely a menuki, but it is also quite possible that the piece might have been made for another use, such as a clasp.  Doesn't matter, still amazing craftsmanship and artistry. 

[SteveM]

Yes - this would be my translation of the last line:

 

金物裏には夏雄息子, 秋雄による極めの短冊銘がある.

 

On the reverse side of the object is a signature plate (tanzaku) identifying the artist, made by Natsuo's son Akio. 

[Brian]

Wow..fantastic.
So who was the main artist, and who assisted?  Was it made by Natsuo with assistance from his son, or made by his son with some assistance (guidance) by his father?

Interesting either way.

[Pete Klein]

http://touken-tousougu.sakura.ne.jp/kansho/kouza4/tousougu6.html

 

Here it is attributed again to Natsuo. 

[SteveM]

The thing itself was made by the father, Natsuo. The signature plate was added on later by the son, Akio. I'm not sure what the kanji "補" (ho, ogina(u)) signifies here. I couldn't find any other such usages. The kanji itself means (In verb form) to supplement or replenish, and it is used in compound words that have similar meanings.

I think its just the son's way of saying, "my father made this, but I added the signature".