modern tsuba

[cabowen]

Here are some examples of modern tsuba to show what is being done in Japan these days. Maybe I will post more later when I have more time...Sorry for the picture quality....

[Ford Hallam]

Those are from the 2010 NBSK competition.

 

Here are all of the entries, the images may be a little better as you can click on them to see larger versions.

[Ford Hallam]

The last designated mukansa was Masaichi Sakai. He signed 'Toshimasa'

 

I've scanned in some images of his work and they can be seen here.

 

I don't think he's working any longer though.

[IanB]

Ford, I like the way Toshimasa has used abalone shell to give those little touches of blue/green. I remember seeing a fuchi / gashira by Iwamoto Konkan decorated with perch that was done with abalone eyes. Delicious.

Ian Bottomley

[Brian]

I'm not a blind "Hallam devotee" (especially since the bugger never made me a tsuba when he was affordable ) but looking at the majority of those tsuba in the link...on close inspection many (most?) of them really aren't "all that"

The one I liked the most...turned out to be by Ford anyways. One or 2 others very nicely done (glad to see someone is still doing great nanako...well done!) but most just seem kind of generic or lacking in that certain antique Japanese aesthetic.

Don't want to get into this debate too much, but the majority are good...just not great. Just my 2c..

 

Brian

[cabowen]

The ji-sukashi tsuba was done by a friend of mine, Kawashima san....His work has really improved....

[Ford Hallam]

It's ok Brian...I forgive you but I'll pray for you to see the light

 

Here are some images of Mr Kawashima's tsuba.

[Brian]

Oh..I didn't say that none of the non-Hallam ones impressed me. Just that some of them aren't to my taste.

I'm not going to go into detail...and the techniques are all fantastic. But some look like they are pushing the "modern" design aesthetic a little too much.

I also think that perhaps there should be a division in the kinko vs iron categories.

Not sure which light I should be seeing but your entry in that competition still impressed me more than 80% of the others. Even the differences in small things like the way mei are chiseled, are clearly different on most.

Before I bury myself..I will repeat that the skill in these is great. They just don't all do it for me in the aesthetic sense the way the dragonfly does. First prize was well earned of course.

 

Brian

[Ford Hallam]

The finest, and I'd argue most authentic, tsuba-shi working in Japan today is, in my opinion, Naruki Issei. I'm hoping to meet with him shortly.

 

His take on a classic Yagyu design. It's for sale here.

[Soshin]

Hi Ford,

 

I love your work Ford I hope you do well in the contest. The idea that there is no good tsubashi in Japan is completely false. This is a very nice tsuba you posted. If I knew it was for sale I would not have spent all my saved money on a Yagyu, Ko-dai tsuba.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Mantis dude]

I can't wait till these craftsman mature, find inner peace and use true insect designs of the one and only Kamakiri. Of course, no bias on my end.

[Alan Morton]

Hi Ken,

 

did you see the very good Mantis tsuba in this sale

 

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Fine Furniture, Decorative Arts & Asian Arts

 

Auction 20234

Sydney, Byron Kennedy Hall

27 May 2012, starting at 10:00 EST with lot 1.

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1

A tea-dust glaze plate with Indian lotus patterns 19th/ 20th century

Estimate: AU$ 3,000 - 5,000

£1,900 - 3,200

US$ 3,100 - 5,100

 

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2

A Chinese flambé-glazed tripod censer 19th century

Estimate: AU$ 1,200 - 1,800

£760 - 1,100

US$ 1,200 - 1,800

 

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3

A double gourd shaped vase with bat decoration 20th century

Estimate: AU$ 1,800 - 2,500

£1,100 - 1,600

US$ 1,800 - 2,600

 

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4

A crackle glaze celadon bowl 19th/ 20th century

Estimate: AU$ 1,000 - 1,500

£630 - 950

US$ 1,000 - 1,500

 

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5

A small pear-shaped vase 19th/ 20th century

Estimate: AU$ 1,000 - 1,500

£630 - 950

US$ 1,000 - 1,500

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Melbourne, Como House

18 May 2012 10:00 - 17:00

19 May 2012 11:00 - 17:00

20 May 2012 11:00 - 17:00

Sydney, Byron Kennedy Hall

25 May 2012 10:00 - 17:00

26 May 2012 10:00 - 17:00

27 May 2012 10:00 - 17:00

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Alan

[Alan Morton]

Sorry about that guys, a bit more than I intended

 

Alan.

[Mantis dude]

Hi Allan,

There are 2 tsuba going off in London by Bonhams but I didn't see any in the Australian auction.

 

Thanks.

Ken

P.S. Ford has potential since he has worked with the mantis form if memory serves right... as a side note I am impressed with the skill of anyone that can produce work like shown in some of those pictures except for Ford (gotta keep his ego in check). If you have any sense of what skills are displayed then you can't help but appreciate what they do. It was many years ago, might even have been before this site when there was discussion of artists not being able to make a living since what it takes to create a quality item is very expensive. I am glad there are at least some guys that can keep the practices alive. Ford has provided a lot of insight as an artist that sheds light on things that as collectors we just would not have gotten (ok his ego can swell he earned it).