Different styles of Shishi menuki

[JPB]

Hello 

Sometimes when I read texts about Shishi menuki, authors write "Goto style" "Kikuoka style" "Yanagawa style" and so on. 

What are the differences? I just can't find texts with real explanations.

Please help me !

Thanks

JPB

 

[Curran]

Either you need more texts,

or more experience.

 

In time, it will become obvious to you.

In general, the shapes can be similar.

In specific finish, the details start to stand out.

 

For an analogy, many a modern Audi, BMW, or Mercedes SUV look the same in terms of general shape.

The more you break it down into specifics parts of the car, the more you see different design elements or finish.

 

I'd put an asterisk*  on this that Kikuoka and Yanagawa can be confusing even at the NBTHK level.

I had a pair of gold kirin menuki that the NBTHK gave to Yanagawa.

A few years after I sold them, I came across a published and signed identical set that was from one of the Kikuoka.

Yanagawa was the conservative call, and I understood it.  Only a signed Kikuoka set confirmed that some of the design element drift meant it was actually Kikuoka.

 

BUT...  Goto Shishi are goto.  Get more Goto books.

You will eventually be able to observe what is Goto, what is waki Goto, and what is Kyo kinko in the style of Goto.

With enough experience, you will understand very well.

[Jake6500]

20 hours ago, JPB said:

Hello 

Sometimes when I read texts about Shishi menuki, authors write "Goto style" "Kikuoka style" "Yanagawa style" and so on. 

What are the differences? I just can't find texts with real explanations.

Please help me !

Thanks

JPB

 

 

These are all different "school" classifications managed by different families or lineages. Each "school" has certain stylistic differences, the nuances of which require considerable study in order to discern when you're starting out in this hobby. 

 

As Curran writes, the difference between Yanagawa and Kikuoka for example can be hard to discern even by the most expert professionals. In many cases, artists traditionally categorised into one type of school may actually have studied under several different schools at different times, making classifiction complicated.

 

My recommendation is to come to this forum and participate in discussions frequently, it is a very efficient way to learn when you are starting out.

 

Goto lions tend to have certain distinct design characteristics so I can help out a bit with that one. Here are some screenshots from a document I made for myself about this exact topic as part of my own little amateur investigation. It includes images of real pieces as well as screenshots from a Japanese reference book... When you click the images you may need to zoom in.

 

 

[JPB]

Thanks a lot !

 

[Curran]

@JPB       Jake gave a better answer than me.

[JPB]

Il y a 19 heures, Curran a déclaré :

@JPB       Jake a donné une meilleure réponse que moi.

Thanks again the 2 answers were really interesting.