Jump to content

Current Research Focus


Soshin

Recommended Posts

Here is a quick preview of a fine copper tsuba that I am currently researching and will put up on my Tsuba Otaku website (www.tsubaotaku.com) homepage August 1st. It measures 8.0 cm wide by 8.0 cm high. It is 5.0 mm at the seppa-dai and thinner at 3.0 mm towards the rim. I will be sending photos of it to Bob Haynes tomorrow to get this feedback. The design is that of dragon and phoenix which commonly represent opposing forces a concept of dualism in ancient Chinese philosophy (yin and yang) importanted later into Japan. Everyone's polite comments and discussion are always welcome. Thank you.        

post-680-0-83808100-1563303374_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is decorative art and looks nice as it is.  These type of things were popular during the Meiji Period when the artists couldn't make a living making functional tsuba for koshirae. Mauro the Chinese influence is clear but I think it a bit to late to be the work of the many fine Hizen Province during the Edo Period.      

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This article is not a start to finish traditionally made piece, it is akin to the seemingly endless late serpent tsuba.    Certainty, late serpent tsuba exist that are traditionally made, but most are not.  This piece is a not.  As far as Ford's seppa comment....everyone would be better served by looking and seeing, than they would be by asking.  This is a decorative confection and not a tsuba.....or Art.

 

-S-

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

These type of things were popular during the Meiji Period

 

I say it is more 昭和時代 to be honest:

 

post-14-0-55232500-1563339310_thumb.png

 

 

Kidding aside, the carving is well done (wish I could do that) but it seems a modern execution and not that old.  The workings of the angry lizard in particular is flat and lacks any kind of artistic energy that would be expected from bona fide tsuba, or any other genuine Japanese art.  To me it looks cast / cookie cutter pressed...

 

 

Mauro the Chinese influence is clear

 

Also, I am not sure if two mythological animals associated with China alone assures that the item has Chinese influence.  It's as much Chinese influenced, as Matsuya curry-and-rice is Indian influenced.  For the uninitiated it seems right, but there is a lot more to it than that.

 

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is one polite comment.

It's a cast repro and a "blank" for this "joint work of Goto Ichijo and Tanaka Kiyotoshi"  :doubt:

It's not a straw, it's a log, I'm very sorry.

 

Check this post on FB, we update it with Ian from time to time and of course everyone is welcome to add their "mistakes"  ;-)


 

post-3892-0-38909300-1563357611_thumb.jpg

post-3892-0-25319900-1563357618_thumb.jpg

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

David wrote “Many of your guys grasping at straws”.

 

All I am doing is offering observations from years of studying a broad spectrum of Japanese and Chinese art. The item in question is not my possession. Therefore, I have no horse in this race, so, dare I say that it could be you that is grasping at straws...

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well that explains why the alleged 'real' piece is so unsatisfying, I made the mistake of assuming it was genuine....we all know what they say about that.  On close inspection it is a fake also, the evidence is everywhere.  The genuine piece would be extremely expensive, and desirable, there would be no reason to sell it under the circumstances we find here.  Apparently, more of both versions should be popping up in the future.

 

-S-

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

is it me or does the original subject poster seem to aquire questionable tsuba then post them for comment. then  ignore all advice, points and argue till he's blue in the face. :bang:

 

i tend to take note of people more experienced then myself, even if i don't necessarily agree with them.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

keep up the good work ferretting out the tricky fake stuff guys!  Y'all good people just saved David the hassle of researching the piece (not Tsuba), and possibly have done a great service to his business, in the long run of course.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hope that in time he will realize that everyone is here to help.   None of us takes pleasure in delivering negative news, but it is something that must be done when necessary.   We could of course refrain from comment altogether, but that does a disservice to us all.

 

-S-

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

is it me or does the original subject poster seem to aquire questionable tsuba then post them for comment. then  ignore all advice, points and argue till he's blue in the face. :bang:

 

i tend to take note of people more experienced then myself, even if i don't necessarily agree with them.

I agree.   If polite comments are asked for, expect to receive them and reciprocate the same courtesy, is what I say.

 

Assuming that the black and gold tsuba is more authentic than the copper coloured one, a comparative study is quite revealing.  I can see the difference right away.

 

post-14-0-48238200-1563406112_thumb.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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..

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...