johnb Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 I just took delivery of this, it's diameter is 84mm and I rather like it. It's always a risk posting something here, particularly when one isn't so knowledgeable. The truth can hurt. :lol: Johnb Quote
Lorenzo Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 Although Nanban isn't in my veins, it seems a decent work, I wouldn't worry about it Quote
Brian Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 Must say, I quite like it. Have seen lots of Namban dragons, but one of the first I have seen with koi, and it works well. Nice one. Brian Quote
johnb Posted March 24, 2011 Author Report Posted March 24, 2011 Yes, there's some very neat undercutting, not to easy to see in this pic. (He says with far more confidence). Oh, and it's papered. Johnb Quote
John A Stuart Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 That is the koi to suiryu theme isn't it? I recall it somewhere and below the western pavillion (Pure Land). John Quote
johnb Posted March 24, 2011 Author Report Posted March 24, 2011 Although Nanban isn't in my veins, it seems a decent work, I wouldn't worry about it Actually, I'm not a big fan either, but this one really took my fancy, it's rather unusual and even more appealing in the flesh. JohnB Quote
docliss Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 Johnb, there is really no need for you to be nervous! Your tsuba, with its very good quality undercutting, is an excellent example of C18 Namban work. John L. Quote
johnb Posted March 24, 2011 Author Report Posted March 24, 2011 Thanks John, much appreciated. Although my original post should be read with just a touch of sarcasm. Johnb Quote
Toryu2020 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 John - That theme is Toryu-mon - the gate to enlightenment - a carp swims up river for years until one day he transforms into a dragon. Love the way it is presented here, very nice example of the school as well. -t Quote
Brian Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 Ah..I looked to quickly, and missed the fact that the bottom right Koi is transforming, and top right is already half dragon. Even nicer Brian Quote
johnb Posted March 24, 2011 Author Report Posted March 24, 2011 Ah Brian you're right! In fact as the koi swims around it transforms. Finally becoming a dragon. I like it even more. Johnb Quote
johnb Posted March 25, 2011 Author Report Posted March 25, 2011 Here's a slightly better picture that clearly shows the transformation of the koi. Johnb Quote
Soshin Posted March 25, 2011 Report Posted March 25, 2011 It is a really nice Namban tsuba. Thanks for posting on the forum for discussion. Learned something new about the legend that surrounds the design. Yours truly, David S. Quote
johnb Posted March 25, 2011 Author Report Posted March 25, 2011 David, thank you. I also learnt something new about the design. I bought it because I saw it as being rather unusual, very well designed and skillfully crafted. Knowing the theme only adds to the pleasure of owning it. Thank you gentlemen. Johnb Quote
johnb Posted March 25, 2011 Author Report Posted March 25, 2011 Apparntly, it goes like this.... Many years ago, in a time before recorded history, a huge school containing thousands of koi swam up the Yellow River. The colors of their well muscled bodies flashed in the sunlight making them seem like a million living jewels. All was going well until the koi reached a waterfall. Immediately, a large number of them grew discouraged and turned back, finding it much easier to simply go with the flow of the river. Yet, a determined group of 360 koi stayed on. Straining and leaping, each koi strove to reach the top of the falls. Again and again they flung their bodies into the air only to fall back into the water. All this splashing noise drew the attention of the local demons who laughed at the efforts of the struggling koi. Adding to their misery, the demons sadistically increased the height of the falls. Still the koi refused give up! Undeterred, the koi continued their efforts for one hundred years. At last, with one heroic leap, a single koi reached the top of the falls. The God’s smiled down in approval and transformed the exhausted koi into a shining golden dragon. He joyfully spends his days chasing pearls of wisdom across the skies of the vast and eternal heavens. Whenever another koi finds the strength and courage to leap up the falls, he or she too becomes a heavenly dragon. The falls have become know as the Dragon’s Gate and, because of their endurance and perseverance, koi have become symbolic of overcoming adversity and fulfilling one’s destiny.... I assume we see the Dragons gate portrayed at the bottom of the Tsuba? JohnB Quote
ububob Posted March 25, 2011 Report Posted March 25, 2011 Interesting John, what is the source for that story? Quote
johnb Posted March 26, 2011 Author Report Posted March 26, 2011 I found it on a tattoo site. Although I suspect it's somewhat modernised. Nishikigoi, (my real passion) weren't bred for colour until the early 1800's so I assume the 'milloin living jewels' line is a later edition. Well I hope so anyway, otherwise it make my tsuba much newer that I thought it was! Johnb Quote
John A Stuart Posted March 26, 2011 Report Posted March 26, 2011 Remember this is a Namban tsuba and most themes reflect a foriegn influence. In this case the koi to suiryu story originates in China and most varieties of it focus on the Yellow River at a spot fabled for it's rapids and carp. 鲤鱼跳龙门 Li Yu Tiao Long Men is a proverb 'carp leaping over the dragon's gate', meaning 'to excel by perserverance'. Reaching a certain rank in the national exams (Mandarin ranking) was marked by the carp's becoming a dragon. 鲤 Li (carp) is an homophone for 利 Li (profit), and anything that sounds like a good auspice for commerce for the Chinese is very lucky. John Quote
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