Kozuka, qu’èsaquo* ? From a beginner point of view.

[Ola]

* Provençal locution meaning “what is that?”

 

My first message on this board, a kind of presentation, of myself and of two kozukas. I got a lot of information reading this forum so I thought I could contribute at my level with a post from the point of view of a new beginner, what has been my understanding when you’re completely fresh and don’t know anything. I deliberately commented some Japanese terms to verify what they mean but don’t hesitate to correct me if needed!

 

It all started with these diminutive knife handles my eyes got attracted by at a local auction. Initially the theme on one knife reminded me of some artwork I just appreciated, from a Chinese painter, Qi Baishi (I’m by no means expert in any oriental art, just sometimes attracted by the style).

 

 

The auctioneer was informed enough to indicate I was looking at some “kozukas” so I ended up quite rapidly on this forum. After an overwhelming phase where the terms shakudo, nanako, shishi, mei, etc. just mixed up in an exotic milkshake, I came to understand these small artifacts were representative of an impressive craftsmanship (at least at their level, itself correlated to my budget…), an expression of a dedication and patience I admire.

As it appears nobody else was interested in bidding, I won them…

 

And now I’m curious! I got two : the first one (on the left) is in the best condition, the second is really worn out and sadly has a crack where the blade should have been inserted (I knew it when buying). Both look like to be made of shakudo (an alloy of mainly copper and some gold that can take nice patina). I apologize for the poor pictures under, but I just have a mobile phone and some magnifying glass. It should nevertheless be enough to discern the motifs and understand what I used to base my analyse (I believed initially the silvery powder around the motifs was a kind of artistic effect but understood later it was… dust ).

 

 

 

It seems the left one is depicting a flower arrangement (ikebana?) of some plum (ume) or cherry (sakura) twigs but I cannot identify the golden artifact. Does anyone know what it could be? Some kind of vase or container? Or maybe a quiver?

The right one shows what I think is chrysanthemum (kiku) flowers in its plena form, with buds and leaves. I don’t know if there’s more to say to it…

I understood there’s more than often a hidden message or legend back these representations so if you think there’s something here, just let me know!

 

Now for the back side. The first one has a mei (signature) but I couldn’t decipher any kanji from the linked list on the forum.

 

 

The second looked like “mumei” (without signature) but after closer inspection it had one at one point but I can only see remnants of a last kanji. 

I understood it’s probably nothing to extract from these, being often “gimei” (a kind of homage at best, fakery at worst?) but it would be nevertheless nice to know what’s written there. Apparently, the previous owner got them when working at the Japanese ambassade in Oslo.

 

Regarding the quality, these are the first and only ones examples I’ve seen until now in my region, so I can just guess. 

Ironically, it seems a good indicator (at least for the newbie I’m) for evaluating the quality is the background (the nanako). Ironical but again representative of the attention given to small details. The fact that someone punches these minute dots one by one for hours justify nearly the buy (at least for me).

Sadly again these are quite worn out but I would say there are decent, dense but showing some fluctuations on the horizontal lines and imperfections in vertical/diagonal alignment. I couldn’t identify any other kind of alignment pattern. Below some pictures under magnification, respectively for the plums and the chrysanthemums.

 

 

 

For the rest, I think the ikebana theme is simple but well executed, with nice details in the branch. Difficult to say about the chrysanthemum as some details (on the leaves by example) have disappeared. After that, I’ve to admit I don’t know what to look after…

 

 

 

I tried to brushed out the dust with a (dry) toothbrush, without success. What would be the next approved step for a more thorough cleaning? Just water with some soap?

 

 

I would appreciate if some experts could eventually help on some of the interrogation above and of course correct me if I’ve written anything wrong. As said it’s my first introduction to the tosogu world so be indulgent. But don’t hesitate to say the truth neither, I can cope with that. At the end, I guess the main message to a new beginner like me will be “don’t buy junk, get informed before taking out the wallet” :).

[MauroP]

Hi Laurent, welcome at NMB.
The first kozuka show an unusual subject. I really don't know if the object depicted is a quiver, but if a quiver it surely recall a representation called ebira-no-ume (箙の梅) or Ikuta-no-mori (生田の森). It's a story of Genpei War: before going to the battle of Ikuda forest, Kajiwara Kagesue took a branch of a flowering plum and stuck it in his arrow quiver. 
The signature is compatible with 後藤光佐 - Gotō Mitsusuke + kaō (but I'm unsure if gimei or not...).

[Spartancrest]

Hi Laurent - like Mauro said . .  Welcome!

I think the first representation shows a tall handled  bucket/vase like this one. Used to display flowers in "ikebana"

          a squat modern version.

 

Ikebana also features on tsuba.

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

There is a theory that well-worn (rubbed down) surface elements of kozuka are a precious indication of usage and age. The missing gilt on the exposed chrysanthemum surfaces for example,  could actually be a positive, rather than a negative.

 

The word 小柄 kozuka strictly means only the oblong handle itself, but by extension it has come to include the blade when/if one is present. You can build up a collection of blades until you find one or two that fit comfortably into the kozuka you have bought.

 

As to the Mei. What you say about "a kind of homage at best" applies more to those that you commonly find on the blades. The handle/sheath itself when signed will either be the original artist or a fake.

 

Splits in the kozuka occur when a different blade is forced in, or the blade is pushed too far into the handle/sheath. It is said the there should be a visible gap between the end of the blade machi and the edge of the receiving sheath, in order to prevent damage to the most important piece of artwork, the kozuka hilt.

[Brian]

Nice ones, and as Piers said, the wear isn't a terrible thing on old ones like this. Also, unless you are the high end of quality and minty ones, even the small crack wouldn't be too serious. These are lovely depictions of the Japanese art, and both can be enjoyed. Hope you enjoy your studies in this hobby.

[Franco]

Beginners luck!

 

For cleaning and any restoration work I would suggest contacting/consulting Brian Tschernega 425.771.6339 .

 

Both pieces are worn for good reason. 

[Curran]

If possible, please show the "mouth crack" on the second kozuka.

Personally, -I prefer it to the ikebana vase kozuka.

 

My initial thoughts are that it is a nice pleasant "ko-kinko" kozuka from the late 1500s or early 1600s.

The flowers are meant to be Chrysanthemums?

Others feel free to verify.

 

Chrysanthemums have significant meaning in Japan and Korea, especially at that time in history.

[eternal_newbie]

Pretty sure they're chrysanthemums, yep. Specifically Chrysanthemum japonense (the long five-lobed leaves are a good indicator)

[Brian]

1 hour ago, Curran said:

My initial thoughts are that it is a nice pleasant "ko-kinko" kozuka from the late 1500s or early 1600s.

The flowers are meant to be Chrysanthemums?

Others feel free to verify.

Don't know enough, but that's what came to mind for me too.

[Ola]

Thanks all for your thorough answers! Part of the pleasure for me is finding informations about the objects in question so you made me happy here .

 

It looks like the theme questions are answered, the golden artifact being probably the handled bucket shown over by Spartancrest. I thought initially the small base would make it quite unbalanced for a vase but it could also be part of the game when doing ikebana… or it could just have been used for collecting the flowers. The quivers I’ve seen don’t have that tall base, it would make it probably impractical.

Regarding the chrysanthemums, it seems it has so many significations through history in Japan that is probably difficult to pinpoint any precisely. 

 

Regarding the mei, I have to admit I can only recognise the 3rd and 4th  kanjis (meaning Mitsusuke?) shown by Mauro… I guess the digital modern kanji will differ from an old engraved one but at that point?! The kao (the last sign?) looks like it has a slightly different style to me. Is it a kind of personal symbol?

Gimei or not, that “Goto Mitsusuke”indication could maybe help to determine how old are these? I was a bit surprised when Curran wrote 1500…1600, I was more expecting around 1800…1900. It would change my perspective (I’m definitely not going to use them now ) about proper care. 

I see Brian is suggested for cleaning/restoration but I would like to do it myself (no offence here, it’s just a part of the hobby I like as well). I’m not  totally ignorant about cleaning (I’m restoring fountain pens, watches, knives, etc. without being any expert here neither, I don’t dare to touch yet on the dial on a watch for example) but the material and the patina are completely different here and it suggests me I’ve to be more than careful. As said by Bugyotsuji, they could witness for the (us)age these handles have been trough and I don’t want to mess anything here. The nanako nearly worn out where the thumb was probably pressing on the handle is a nice testimony. So I would just clean the old encrusted dust here and I guess a mild soap could do the trick here, couldn’t it?

 

It may be better there is a crack there, making it unsafe to fit a blade. I know if I start to look after Japanese blades I’ll probably dive in the topic for many years… But… maybe just one, for the ikebana one... I just have to build up a small collection to find one that fits you said? 

 

Crack on the mouth on the chrysanthemum kozuka.

[Brian]

Mild hand soap and a soft toothbrush is the most I would do.

[Curran]

Chrysanthemums:   ah, then- flower of death, funerals, and respect to the deceased.

Something like that (says the gaijin)?

 

The split of the ko-kinko kozuka is unfortunate, but it evidences an earlier construction technique. 

I would guess early 1600s.

 

The condition wear of the early works is very appealing to me. 

Especially Ko-Goto work. Sometimes Ko-Kinko have shakudo nearly as good.

I have two Ko-Goto kozuka (one of wild boars, another of arrows in a quiver) with half their 1000 year life worn away... yet the shakudo has such a luster at this point-

 

---any time I think of selling either, I put them out for a few days--- then back into the tansu and say I will sell them in another 1,3, 7, or 15 years.

 

 

[Franco]

4 hours ago, Ola said:

I see Brian is suggested for cleaning/restoration but I would like to do it myself (no offence here, it’s just a part of the hobby I like as well).

 

No worries. The point here of recommending a professional like Brian is that these pieces show significant age and quality. 

As such, repairs and restoration work as well should be undetectable. Some work (such as cleaning) can be accomplished at home, especially by someone with knowledge and experience.

[Tim Evans]

I found one mei reference in Wakayama which states: "Eldest son of 12th Mitsumichi. Died young, left few works".

 

Fittings collectors do not normally install blades on kozuka unless it will be mounted on koshirae. Removing and installing blades usually requires heat since glued in with pitch. There are wood boxes with silk pillows to keep kozuka. 

 

Shakudo is a copper alloy with a thin layer of black oxide. Scrub too hard and the bare metal will show so go slow and gentle. Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner, it will strip off the oxide.

 

There is a mix of dried skin oil and dirt on the surface. One thing to try is alcohol on on a q-tip. Try an inconspicuous spot first.

[ROKUJURO]

The bamboo flower container is a HANAIKE (general term).

I am no expert on this, but the MEI looks more scratched than chiseled; it has some double lines which is unusual. Comparing with a certified GOTO MITSUSUKE ( https://www.ncjsc.org/photo-gallery/goto-mitsusuke-kozuka ), it is very different.

An expert should have a closer look at these KOZUKA to examine the work. Sometimes techniques are not consistent with the purported maker.

[Ola]

I did some cleaning on the ikebana kozuka. Really soft toothbrush with a gentle touch, some aleppo soap (the mildest stuff I could find in the house. I think you can even brush your teeth with it!), let it works some minutes, rinse with water and dry. Repeat maybe 4…5 times to get rid of the crud.

I tried the isopropyl alcohol after that but couldn’t see any improvement.

 

The differences between worn out and preserved nanako are now more visible, the worn out parts being more shiny (shiny with some purple hue, like the frame around). Here I hope I haven’t done too much but I would be very surprised if I could polish metal with that toothbrush (but let me know if it’s not right before I do the same on the second one). I think I will let it as it is, the rest being some verdigris that needs more than soap to disappear.

 

 

The small defects are also now more visible and the overall quality impression has maybe gone down. I found the following examples under but there is probably more than that.

 

- The gilding of one bud has melted down on the background.

- The nanako around the inlays have been retouched.

- There is a space between the nanako plate and the frame.

- The nanako around the vase is more irregular.

 

As Tim writes over, Mitsusuke was son and brother of some Goto masters. Given the quality of this kozuka, I would have tendency to conclude the signature is maybe gimei. What do you think?

 

Even as gimei we could at least probably affirm the kozuka is posterior to around 1760, couldn’t we?

 

PS: I’ve seen some light engraving on the cap of the other kozuka. Any interest?

 

[MauroP]

I'm leaning towards gimei, the third kanji and the kaō show more inconsistencies. Anyways a nice piece.

 

[SteveM]

Name of the theme of the kozuka with the chrysanthemums on it is 枝菊図 (edagiku-zu), or chrysanthemum branches. I believe it is a common theme of the Gotō artists. There is an explanation of this theme at the link below, which basically says it contains various elements: elegance, nobility, strength, endurance, all present in the chrysanthemum in the field.

 

http://katana.mane-ana.co.jp/touwa0510renjyoukiku.html

 

Here is the theme again as part of a set

 

https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/472635

 

[Exclus1ve]

I'm inclined to assume that it's gimei. The mei is different, but I'm more confused by the workmanship.… The nanako is not done neatly, as is the inlay. However, it's still an interesting kozuka with a classic Goto school theme.

[Exclus1ve]

8 часов назад МауроП сказал:

 

[Exclus1ve]

An example of good quality:
 

https://www.ncjsc.org/photo-gallery/goto-mitsusuke-kozuka