Jeweled Tosogu

[Hokke]

Does anyone know if tosogu were ever adorned with jewels of any kind? I have looked but couldn't find any examples. Examples of diamond faceting have been around since the 15c. While Japan is not a notable producer of gems, the Portuguese certainly had had access to gems and could have made them available. I thought there would be at least one example for a tsuba owned by a daimyo or another high ranking imperial member where this design was employed. With the amount of pierced designs you find in tsuba, it also would have been relatively simple to do. 

About 20 years ago on a whim, I set some sapphires in f/k made by Patrick Hastings. They looked ok, but would have looked much better in tsuba, but I never got around to it......

[Spartancrest]

I have seen "stones" on tsuba as well as coral but not Jewels as such.

Check this thread. 

 

[Hokke]

Interesting, Id like to know how those stones are set. Even more curious now, as setting rounded cabochon style stones can be more difficult than setting gems, unless they were using some kind of adhesive, which seems unlikely.

[Hokke]

Here's a pic of the set I referenced above......I originally intended to have gems all the way around randomly, but after placing these sapphires, I wasn't as enthusiastic about the final look. Still plan on trying on a tsuba, just haven't found the right motif to accent. 

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Have a look for Kazari Tachi. In the Meiji period when Cloisonné work was popular you will sometimes see gemwork. 

[Hokke]

1 hour ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

Have a look for Kazari Tachi. In the Meiji period when Cloisonné work was popular you will sometimes see gemwork. 

Found a few examples, some with raw stones set as mentioned by others and some with enamel work, but alas none with faceted gems…..interesting works though

[Curran]

11 hours ago, Hokke said:

Does anyone know if tosogu were ever adorned with jewels of any kind? I have looked but couldn't find any examples. Examples of diamond faceting have been around since the 15c. While Japan is not a notable producer of gems, the Portuguese certainly had had access to gems and could have made them available. I thought there would be at least one example for a tsuba owned by a daimyo or another high ranking imperial member where this design was employed. With the amount of pierced designs you find in tsuba, it also would have been relatively simple to do. 

About 20 years ago on a whim, I set some sapphires in f/k made by Patrick Hastings. They looked ok, but would have looked much better in tsuba, but I never got around to it......

 

Some Tokugawa tachi koshirae have a variety of stones.

I'd have to pull the Tokugawa book to remind myself what stones. 

Background:  had family and a friend who were bench jewelers. 20 years of hanging with them, and you learn a bit about stones by osmosis. I'm not a expert, but know a lot more than many.

[Hokke]

1 hour ago, Curran said:

I'd have to pull the Tokugawa book to remind myself what stones. 

That would be great, let me know what you find.

1 hour ago, Curran said:

20 years of hanging with them, and you learn a bit about stones by osmosis.

You betcha, it’s the best way to learn. Just like with college, the books only get you base and technical understanding, the majority is experience.

[Bugyotsuji]

I have a tsuba decorated with small rounded amber cabochons, but not exactly stones or jewels per se. They are set on circular rimmed presumably flat bases.

 

[Hokke]

24 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said:

I have a tsuba decorated with small rounded amber cabochons, but not exactly stones or jewels per se. They are set on circular rimmed presumably flat bases.

 

Would love to see it if you want to post it. What is the age of the tsuba and from what is it made?

[Bugyotsuji]

It is iron, a large Namban, with a silver fukurin. Four and three, for seven amber cabochons. I am imagining early to mid Edo, when Namban were fashionable.(?)

The reverse

 

[Hokke]

Wow, thanks for posting that Piers……those amber cabs look bezel set, that would have been quite the chore in iron with amber being relatively brittle. 
*If* you ever get the opportunity and are feeling generous, I’d love to see a close up of one of the cabs.

[Bugyotsuji]

1 hour ago, Hokke said:

Wow, thanks for posting that Piers……those amber cabs look bezel set, that would have been quite the chore in iron with amber being relatively brittle. 
*If* you ever get the opportunity and are feeling generous, I’d love to see a close up of one of the cabs.

Had a quick search but it’s not here. It must be with the other lot. I’ll get back to you in October!
My initial impression was that they are not crimped in place like bezels, but set somehow with… glue(?) and the curved sides simply act to protect the stones from sideways knocks.

[ChrisW]

I have a kashira that has an inset amethyst stone. I am away from home for a few days, but when I return, I shall post some pictures of it. Heavy iron, gold wire trim.. overall a nice piece. Wish I had the fuchi for it!

[cluckdaddy76]

I have a papered wakizashi koshirae that has tiger eye on parts of the saya. The kojiri has a larger covering of it, and then up further are a few decorative rings of tiger eye too. If anyone is interested in pics, I could take some in the near future.

 

Jason

[Ray Singer]

This is a koshirae I just received a few days ago with a signed signed So-den Bizen blade from one of Enbun Kanemitsu's students. The koshirae has inlaid coral and malachite (in addition to the cloissone elements). The fittings have an Ezo / Umetada look to them (excluding the kojiri). 

 

Best regards, 

Ray 

[Hokke]

Very nice, thanks for posting those Ray.

[Hokke]

3 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Had a quick search but it’s not here. It must be with the other lot. I’ll get back to you in October!
My initial impression was that they are not crimped in place like bezels, but set somehow with… glue(?) and the curved sides simply act to protect the stones from sideways knocks.

Ah, ok, that would make more sense. Hammering iron around amber is a butt clenching experience I would choose to avoid. Still it would need to be a relative close fit as glue, particularly then, couldn’t have been very malleable. 

[Hokke]

2 hours ago, cluckdaddy76 said:

I have a papered wakizashi koshirae that has tiger eye on parts of the saya. The kojiri has a larger covering of it, and then up further are a few decorative rings of tiger eye too. If anyone is interested in pics, I could take some in the near future.

 

Jason

Absolutely, post some pics if you get a chance, I’d be interested to see them.