Popular Post Jake6500 Posted February 25 Popular Post Report Posted February 25 Hey Tosogu collectors, I recently obtained my second Yanagawa Naomitsu piece, a beautiful lion and peony themed fuchigashira (possible tokubetsu hozon candidate?) In celebration of this new acquisition I felt a mega lion thread would be fitting, hoping to get the rest of the forum involved! Post your best lions, all types of Tosogu welcome! I'll start: 9 8 1 Quote
Brian Posted February 25 Report Posted February 25 I edited the title to include shishi as many will know them more this way than as actual lions 4 1 Quote
Spartancrest Posted February 25 Report Posted February 25 10 minutes ago, Jake6500 said: I'll start: You win! 3 4 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted February 25 Report Posted February 25 Yup. (Dang, that’s going to be hard to beat!) Quote
Jake6500 Posted February 25 Author Report Posted February 25 Thanks Brian for the title edit, I'd like to make this thread an extensive one! The more contributions the better! Quote
Geraint Posted February 25 Report Posted February 25 Here is one, poor photograph but nice tsuba. All the best. 4 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted February 25 Report Posted February 25 Rummaging through a drawer and found this themed koshiraé for a Yosozaemon. Shishi menuki Botan peony tsuba Shishi kozuka 3 Quote
Gunome Posted February 25 Report Posted February 25 Here is a Yanagawa Naomasa Fuchi Kashira 6 6 1 1 Quote
Kurikata Posted February 25 Report Posted February 25 (edited) Mine.... Edited February 25 by Kurikata 5 2 Quote
BrentC Posted February 25 Report Posted February 25 Recently acquired this Kikuoka Mitsumasa. 6 3 Quote
Exclus1ve Posted February 25 Report Posted February 25 Very well! Since many have already seen my avatar anyway… I'll add a good work on the theme of "shishi dance") The lion dance is usually performed as part of the New Year's celebrations. The dancer in front is dressed as a lion. The man behind him plays music for the dance on a flute. In addition to the man dancing as the lion's head, there are others who form the body. The second dancer in the lion costume is shown on the reverse of the kozuka. The lion dance tradition developed in China from a belief that the dance would protect villages from evil spirits. Stylized lions such as this are known as Chinese lions ("shishi") in Japan. https://art.thewalters.org/object/51.691/ Best regards! 7 2 Quote
cluckdaddy76 Posted February 25 Report Posted February 25 Here is an iron set of fuchi/kashira with what I was told is a pair of lion hunters/lions. I have not researched the mei. 5 Quote
Ian B3HR2UH Posted February 25 Report Posted February 25 Similar ones to this piece in Japanese publications are labelled Satsuma or Oda school 7 3 Quote
Julien Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 My small contribution, old nanban tsuba in ok state. Yet I love the two shishi and the little gold dot for the eyes. 5 1 Quote
Brian Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 Some lovely items being posted, with some unusual depictions of shishi. Keep them coming, enjoying seeing them. Quote
thutson Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 I would like to share a lovelyset of tosogu by Yokoya Tomotake featuring Shishi play fighting. It’s a great example of katakiribori workmanship, which is done to a high level. One intriguing thing I have noticed while studying the set is that the carvings of the Chinese Lions resemble the paintings from a pair of screens by Hanabusa Itcho, which is in The Met collection, I’ve attached some comparison photos. I have read that Hanabusa Itcho was a close friend of Somin Yokotani. I wonder if the screens were used by Yokoya Tomotake when composing this set of tosogu. 6 6 1 Quote
Hokke Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 That is certainly a strikingly resemblance, particularly in the f/k. Beautiful set, I can see why Tomotake signed them all proudly. 1 Quote
Curran Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 This thread unearthed a lot of interesting examples. There are no Goto ones so far. I only have one Shi-shi and it is by Goto Kenjo. My particular shi-shi seems to have the Zoomies.... Dog people will know what I mean. 7 1 1 3 Quote
Hokke Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 (edited) @CurranIt’s hard to tell from the picture, is there an inlay in the eyes? Edited February 26 by Hokke Quote
Curran Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 1 hour ago, Hokke said: @CurranIt’s hard to tell from the picture, is there an inlay in the eyes? Yes. Gold in the eyes. [very oxidized] Silver mane, tail, and eyebrows. 1 Quote
Curran Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 8 hours ago, thutson said: I would like to share a lovelyset of tosogu by Yokoya Tomotake featuring Shishi play fighting. It’s a great example of katakiribori workmanship, which is done to a high level. One intriguing thing I have noticed while studying the set is that the carvings of the Chinese Lions resemble the paintings from a pair of screens by Hanabusa Itcho, which is in The Met collection, I’ve attached some comparison photos. I have read that Hanabusa Itcho was a close friend of Somin Yokotani. I wonder if the screens were used by Yokoya Tomotake when composing this set of tosogu. It is rare and interesting to me to see the menuki signed on the front like that. Cool exception to the rule. 3 Quote
Tcat Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 Shameless plug, I need to find a home for these beautiful beasties if anyone is interested, click to zoom...they are currently over in the 'for sale' section. On 2/25/2026 at 7:25 AM, Kurikata said: Mine.... Hi Bruno, great tsuba, did you see these on ebay - https://ebay.us/m/FwRBtN - looks like a nice match. 1 1 Quote
.thumb.png.4c5df79fec171b2dc4a23af38e280a4d.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.