Newly discovered fuchi.

[Stian]

Hi.

I inherited a nihonto from my father 2 years ago, and I just discovered that the combat leather on the fuchi was hiding the art underneath, and wondered if anyone could tell me anything about it?

It is not signed as far as I can see.

All the best

Stian

 

 

[Brian]

Often see this with older swords that were remounted for the war. Quality can vary significantly and often it goes unnoticed for years. Genuine old fuchi, nothing too special, but a real and old one. 

[Stian]

Thank you for the reply Brian!

The sword has not been verified, but it is believed to be late Muromachi, or early Edo. Maybe this is the original fuchi?

I was wondering what the symbols mean.

I can see a bird, but I can’t figure out the largest piece. A boat maybe?

[Jake6500]

14 minutes ago, Stian said:

Thank you for the reply Brian!

The sword has not been verified, but it is believed to be late Muromachi, or early Edo. Maybe this is the original fuchi?

I was wondering what the symbols mean.

I can see a bird, but I can’t figure out the largest piece. A boat maybe?

 

Looks like a boat in the reeds by the shore to me...

 

Not sure what the overall theme might be though.

[Spartancrest]

1 hour ago, Stian said:

Stian

The small open boat is reasonably common as a theme - often seen with cormorant fishing like this tsuba https://art.thewalters.org/object/51.183/  also seen in some water based battles or river crossings. 

[Stian]

Thank you Spartancrest!

That is interesting, and seems to be the most likely thing it is supposed to depict.

[Spartancrest]

9 minutes ago, Stian said:

most likely thing it is supposed to depict.

Even better example here https://www.jauce.com/auction/v1181566934

[Bazza]

Interestingly, the fuchi ground isn't nanako.  I've never seen this type before.  Any ideas??

 

BaZZa.

[Rawa]

Meiji period?

[Stian]

Good resemblance in Spartancrest’s picture, and in this old painting.

 

[Exclus1ve]

I'll add my set. The work isn't difficult, but the patina color palette was too tempting to resist) 

[Spartancrest]

Is it just me or do all these fuchi & kashira look like the boat has run into a mud embankment ? 

[Stian]

3 hours ago, Exclus1ve said:

I'll add my set. The work isn't difficult, but the patina color palette was too tempting to resist) 

That is REALLY similar!

Just wish I had a kashira like that to complete the set.

The one that came with my sword was army issue, but has sadly gone missing.

Beautiful, thanks for sharing!

[Exclus1ve]

3 hours ago, Spartancrest said:

Is it just me or do all these fuchi & kashira look like the boat has run into a mud embankment ? 

Yes, it's really interesting. Maybe it's the wreckage of a boat near the shore... It would be nice to find a photo illustration of this scene.

 

1 hour ago, Stian said:

That is REALLY similar!

Yes, it is. Maybe from the same school, maybe there was a very popular sketch.

[Matsunoki]

It’s not wreckage🙂

The subject of a boat moored (or lurking)amidst foliage or reeds is common. On better quality pieces you can often see a man in the boat, most usually a hunter or cormorant fisherman.Sometimes it will show a hunter in his boat hiding in the reeds with a flight of geese heading his way. If the man isn’t there you are being asked to imagine him…..because the maker didn’t want to put any more effort into the piece.

Im guessing much of this has already been said above🙂

[Matsunoki]

Here’s an example with a bit more work….the geese are on the reverse. I’m not sure what the man is actually doing!

….suggestions?

[Exclus1ve]

2 hours ago, Matsunoki said:

….suggestions?

Could it be seaweed harvesting?

Or fishing boat on moonlit…

[Exclus1ve]

On 5/29/2025 at 1:24 PM, Spartancrest said:

Cormorant fishing

 

[Exclus1ve]

And one beautiful piece of work Noda Masaaki. 
https://art.thewalters.org/object/51.1070/

[Bugyotsuji]

10 hours ago, Matsunoki said:

Here’s an example with a bit more work….the geese are on the reverse. I’m not sure what the man is actually doing!

….suggestions?

 

Getting water to make tea, or cook rice?

[Brian]

I think whatever he has on his back...he's hiding under it and popping up out of it to catch whatever he's hunting.

[Stian]

9 hours ago, Exclus1ve said:

And one beautiful piece of work Noda Masaaki. 
https://art.thewalters.org/object/51.1070/

That is so similar to mine that one could  almost think it was made in the same area or school, or is it just a very common motif?

What do you think?

[Matsunoki]

Very common motif found on many tsuba and fuchi kashira from many different schools and in many different metals. 
In its many subtle variations it’s a subject that well reflects the Japanese love of nature and tranquillity .

[Bugyotsuji]

2 hours ago, Brian said:

I think whatever he has on his back...he's hiding under it and popping up out of it to catch whatever he's hunting.

That looks like his thatched cabin, which must also act as a hide. I've seen thatched-roof boats on the lake in Korakuen.

[Stian]

13 hours ago, Exclus1ve said:

And one beautiful piece of work Noda Masaaki. 
https://art.thewalters.org/object/51.1070/

By the way, do you know how old this piece is?

The link is not working for me.

[Exclus1ve]

9 hours ago, Stian said:

By the way, do you know how old this piece is?

The link is not working for me.

Noda Masaaki (1784-1821), late edo.

 

I agree, the works come from different schools, but the main theme is common and quite interesting.

[Rawa]

Here you have ebay offer with similar motif [Mito school?]

https://ebay.us/m/Z9XkIF

[Exclus1ve]

From Bob Morrison collection