rkg Posted February 2, 2018 Report Posted February 2, 2018 Hi, Here's another recent acquisition: The piece measures 81.0mm (H) X 77.6mm (W) X 4.57mm (T, nakago area), 6.35mm (T, max). The piece is sanmai construction with what appear to be shakudo outer plates and a yamagane core. I has lot of lacquer on the surface - and you can see gold uttori/remnants on most of the figures. Both sides look the same, like they were both punched down in the same mold, though the nanako appears to be different. There is a shakudo fukurin which appears to have been added (possibly as a replacement for an earlier one or damage repair?). here's a few close-ups: The piece appears to be pretty old - aside from the crud, details like the gold appearing to be uttori, etc would point to it being from the Muromachi period. The thing is that I ahve not clue what the theme is - you got a bowl, a little guy running around that appears to be holding some crabs, an octopus(?), some crabs, and a pine branch at the top. Are these items related to a particular festival, legend, etc, or...? I spent some time looking through Joly and struck out on finding something (though given the random organization of the book, I'd believe I missed something). Any help appreciated... Thanks, rkg (Richard George) 1 Quote
ROKUJURO Posted February 2, 2018 Report Posted February 2, 2018 Not a pine, but probably a plum branch. But I am afraid that is no solution to the enigma! 1 Quote
vajo Posted February 2, 2018 Report Posted February 2, 2018 I think it is a collecting scene. On the left side you see two crabs. On the right side there is a basket. The person could be a ama 海女 diver. I have a Shigemitsu Tsuba and wonder everytime what it shows. After seeing a movie about Japan i realize that it shows shellfish collecting (mirugai 海松貝) in the same way like today at for example at mikawa-wan. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9a/0c/3e/9a0c3ea3937f1f7fce23ab8bb98315a9.jpg 1 Quote
Tanto54 Posted February 3, 2018 Report Posted February 3, 2018 Dear Richard, While I think Chris may be right (and his Ama collecting guess - and picture - is better than mine), I can't justify the inclusion of the tree or blossoms/fruit with the Ama or collecting interpretation. Perhaps you should explore the Japanese fable "Saru Kani Gassen" (the Battle of the Monkey and Crabs). That story features a Kaki (persimmon) tree, an anthropomorphic monkey and several crabs. To me, your tsuba tree looks like a Kaki (persimmon), and the figure could be an anthropomorphic monkey. What's on his back? 3 Quote
Alex A Posted February 3, 2018 Report Posted February 3, 2018 Very interesting collecting scene Chris, i particuluarly like the cocoanuts Quote
Alex A Posted February 3, 2018 Report Posted February 3, 2018 Sorry Brian/gents, was in a giddy mood earler 1 Quote
vajo Posted February 3, 2018 Report Posted February 3, 2018 Richard could you show the backside of the tsuba? If you zoom in, you see that the person collect crabs. No ama diver but crab collecting. Quote
ROKUJURO Posted February 3, 2018 Report Posted February 3, 2018 Chris,you have really got eagle eyes! I think you are close! 1 Quote
rkg Posted February 3, 2018 Author Report Posted February 3, 2018 Chris, Both sides are shown - the figures are pretty much identical - I did enlargements of the back side because the figures are in better shape. here's an enlargement of the lower part of the front side: Best, rkg (Richard George) Richard could you show the backside of the tsuba? If you zoom in, you see that the person collect crabs. No ama diver but crab collecting. crab_collecting.jpg Quote
vajo Posted February 3, 2018 Report Posted February 3, 2018 Hello Richard. Its crab he collect. Quote
Stephen Posted February 3, 2018 Report Posted February 3, 2018 All or most are the same plate on each side in sanmai tsuba Chris 1 Quote
rkg Posted February 5, 2018 Author Report Posted February 5, 2018 George, Thanks for the reply - I looked up this story, and I'm thinking you may well be correct. It seems to have most of the major elements, with the "octopus" actually being seaweed... Best, rkg (Richard George) Dear Richard, While I think Chris may be right (and his Ama collecting guess - and picture - is better than mine), I can't justify the inclusion of the tree or blossoms/fruit with the Ama or collecting interpretation. Perhaps you should explore the Japanese fable "Saru Kani Gassen" (the Battle of the Monkey and Crabs). That story features a Kaki (persimmon) tree, an anthropomorphic monkey and several crabs. To me, your tsuba tree looks like a Kaki (persimmon), and the figure could be an anthropomorphic monkey. What's on his back? Monkey Crabs.jpg Kaki.jpg Quote
vajo Posted February 5, 2018 Report Posted February 5, 2018 Hello Richard, hello George. I read the story of the crab and the monkey now. Very nice. I think you are right. Very good knowledge. Best Chris Quote
rkg Posted February 6, 2018 Author Report Posted February 6, 2018 Here's a couple of close-ups of the little guy on both the front and back: Best, rkg (Richard George) Quote
vajo Posted February 18, 2018 Report Posted February 18, 2018 Richard look at that motif. Seems it is made from similar style elements. Same guy, rock, ricebag and bowl. Quote
Surfson Posted February 18, 2018 Report Posted February 18, 2018 Wow, virtually a "before" picture of the same scene. You guys are real motif sleuths! Quote
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