Shugyosha Posted January 10 Report Posted January 10 I've always had a bit of a soft spot for this motif. Ford Hallam did one that I nearly bought but talked myself out of and I have kicked myself ever after. Anyway, that's by the by but I came upon this one on Aoi that I quite like and nearly reached for the wallet, but then saw the price. It's a large tsuba and looks nicely done but is unsigned, unpapered and otherwise unattributed - is it only the motif (which I know is fairly rare) that creates the premium or is there something that I'm missing? https://www.aoijapan.jp/鍔:-無銘-20/ 1 Quote
Matsunoki Posted January 10 Report Posted January 10 (edited) Hi John, I think it’s just the motif/subject. In the wider field of Japanese art absolutely anything with a skull or skeleton is much sought after….okimono, netsuke etc. It’s the “momento mori” thing and would also appeal to all collectors of that genre irrespective of the actual object. I also like that tsuba!….but I’m selling not buying! Edit….pointed out by Jean @ROKUJURO…it’s Memento, not Momento. I’ve been using the wrong word for over 40 years. Nothing new there🙂 Edited January 10 by Matsunoki 2 Quote
Shugyosha Posted January 10 Author Report Posted January 10 Thanks Colin, I suspected as much. Yes, I find it very appealing but, put in the context of what else you can get for £1k, I can't quite bring myself to spend the money...for now. Quote
Tanto54 Posted January 10 Report Posted January 10 Instead of being a romantic Samurai death theme like Nozarashi - this is actually the bones of a woman... The famous beauty and Poet Sotoba Komachi (aka Ono no Komachi). The theme is about faded beauty. The sotoba or grave post is the clue that the maker is giving to identify the theme. 4 2 2 Quote
Spartancrest Posted January 11 Report Posted January 11 For those of us that don't have xray eyes or were brought up living in a coal mine: 6 1 1 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted January 11 Report Posted January 11 Incidentally the word Sotoba is said to trace back to the Sanskrit ‘Stupa’. 2 1 Quote
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