Grevedk Posted February 4, 2022 Report Posted February 4, 2022 Dear NMB members, I am in need of help to identify the origins (history, name of artist, place of manufacture) if possible on the Tsuba pictured below - unless it’s a fake / copy. The Cleveland Museum of Art have a very similar sword guard (Tsuba) with “Dragon in storm and sea”, Japan and possible Edo period, in their collection with a citation from NMB (some of you) saying: “Edo Higo Kumagai work done in the style of Shimizu Jingo?” The Tsuba in my care is made of iron (magnetic) and it measures approximately 7,7 cm x 8,4 cm. It has a motive of a dragon in a storm with lightning, clouds and waves. The yellow metal appears to be inlaid gold (not confirmed) as it seems very well positioned in the iron. Both the Kozuka-Bitsu-Ana and the Kogai-Bitsu-Ana are of the same “distinct” form which I haven’t seen on that many Tsuba’s before (really only on the one from the Cleveland Museum. I would greatly appreciate any of you comments on this subject. Best regards Soren (new member from Denmark) Quote
Grevedk Posted February 4, 2022 Author Report Posted February 4, 2022 Tsuba from the Cleveland Museum of Art as a reference. Quote
Dan tsuba Posted February 4, 2022 Report Posted February 4, 2022 Hello SG and welcome to the forum !! I don't know enough about tsuba to help you out. I am certain that others will tell you exactly what you want to know about the tsuba. The only thing I can tell you is that I really like it and great pictures!!! With respect, Dan 1 Quote
Spartancrest Posted February 5, 2022 Report Posted February 5, 2022 Hizen school also from me - which is good, it is made in Japan and not a Chinese or Southeast Asia import. Like Dan says great pictures and its a nice guard. 2 Quote
Grevedk Posted February 5, 2022 Author Report Posted February 5, 2022 Hi Dan, Bruno and Dale, Thank you for your comments - appreciated 😎👍 One question - why Hizen and not Higo province? How do you see (or tell) the difference? Soren 😎 Quote
Spartancrest Posted February 5, 2022 Report Posted February 5, 2022 Soren, in the case of your example it is the shape of the seppa-dai that points toward Hizen. Hizen are often confused with Namban/Nanban from whom it is believed Hizen drew their designs. Not all Hizen had this Namban style seppa-dai but from what I can find Higo never had Namban style seppa-dai. So your piece would fit Hizen from the shape of seppa-dai - if you had one with a standard Japanese seppa-dai we would still be debating which school to attribute. More knowledgeable members feel free to correct me! 2 Quote
Kanenaga Posted February 6, 2022 Report Posted February 6, 2022 FWIW, this looks to me like something that could be attributable to kodai Jingo (i.e., Higo), or a late, derivative Jingo subgroup like Kumagai or Tsuboi. Les Quote
Spartancrest Posted February 6, 2022 Report Posted February 6, 2022 Les, any images with a similar seppa-dai? I had a look but can't find an example. Also what about the niku around the hitsu-ana, any Higo like that? Comparable images might help Soren to narrow it down. I am not an expert on either school so I am just going on visual similarities. Wouldn't brand names have been helpful! Quote
GRC Posted February 6, 2022 Report Posted February 6, 2022 Re the distinct hitsu shape. You see that in some of the Nanban tsuba like this one: I think the motif is supposed to be a lotus flower petal, which is a common motif found around the inside of the mimi of some of the early Chinese guards (like these two) that inspired much of the Nanban-style: These two Chinese guard images are from Mandarin Mansion online... a great info resource 1 Quote
Spartancrest Posted February 6, 2022 Report Posted February 6, 2022 When you see a namban like this - run, run, run! Same design as Glen's first example but it came out of the mold a bit different. I know, I know! 1 Quote
Grevedk Posted February 7, 2022 Author Report Posted February 7, 2022 Hi everyone, Again thank you all for taking time to respond. Dale - your pictures and detailed comments are very much appreciated as they put me on a new path (and possible understanding) on how to distinguish between different regions. I have found several descriptions of similarities that could point to Higo province (Shimizu Jingo I - III or Kumasi) such as: size thickness round edges no sukashi cuts chocolate color patina clear traces of Nunome Zogan leaf of spades form of the Kozuka- and Kogai-Bitsu-Ana but the dragon motif seems a bit gaudy (or flashy), and it somehow resembles the dragon in Disney’s Mulan - so maybe 🤔 there is a slight chance that the maker of this Tsuba let himself be inspired by Hizen (or Namban) 🤓 But wow - I am beginning to really enjoy this quest and opportunity to learn from somebody who have been doing this for some time. Thank you. 😎 Quote
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