Identity of Archer

[JohnTo]

Hi everyone,

Can anyone identify the archer on this recently purchased tsuba for me?  The scene on the tsuba shows and archer on horseback shooting down a flying bird.  The design is not unique and I have seen similar in auction catalogues with the same description but never the identity of the archer.  Looking at the short bow the archer is probably Chinese rather than Japanese which fits in with the artist, Tsuneshige, who specialised in historical and mythological subjects from these countries.  My searches on the internet have failed to identify the subject and I hate not knot knowing.

Tsuneshige (H 10905.0) was an artist of the Nara School who worked between about 1775 and 1800 and was a student of Nara Shigetsugu living in the Kanda district of Edo. His birth name was Ichiemon and originally signed his name as Sekiguchi Masayoshi and is also recorded as signing Ryoka, Takesha and Torin. 

He is noted for making nadekaku shaped brass tsuba with a uchikaeshi mimi (turned back rim) and shishiaibori carvings in which the design is carved into the flat plate.  His subjects were chiefly historical and mythical figures from Japan and China carved in a ‘robust rather than refined execution and he is said to have concentrated on quantity rather than quality’, which is reflected in the large number of tsuba still extant.  So, it is unlikely that anyone bothered to forge copies of his work!  He liked use an ishime finish on the ground of his tsuba and sign on the right side of the seppa-dai with just two kanji.  All of these features can be seen in this tsuba, which also has small amounts gold, silver and shakudo inlays to highlight features in the design.

Thanks for your help, best regards, John

[Matsunoki]

Probably…….

 

[JohnTo]

Gee that was quick.  Thanks Colin I'll be able to sleep tonight.

 

Best regards, John

[Spartancrest]

I think Colin has it. 

 

An alternative is the generic "Tatar" archer https://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/921/per_page/25/offset/850/sort_by/date/start/1799/end/1898/object/21384

As you say John, there are a few like it getting about.

[davel]

Another variation (which may be up for sale soon?)

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/937276629616004/posts/24189734333943572

[Spartancrest]

12 hours ago, davel said:

which may be up for sale soon?

I would be surprised to see this being sold again so soon. It last sold in July of 2021 as part of the Edward Wrangham collection second sale. It sold at the time for £535.50.  

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27271/lot/12/a-brass-tsuba-nara-school-19th-century/

Edited May 31 by Spartancrest
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[davel]

8 hours ago, Spartancrest said:

It sold at the time for £535.50.

 

That sounds like a bargain.

[Jake6500]

Interesting theme I have not encountered before. Thanks Colin, for spreading your cultural knowledge!