Nara Toshinaga sought

[Ford Hallam]

I'm trying to amass some decent reference photos of the Jyuyo Bunkazai tsuba by Nara Toshinaga that features the design of Omori Hikohichi carried the female demon on his back. It's quite a well known work and well published but really clear images are hard to find it seems. I do have a few already but if anyone has some they think might be really good I'd be extremely grateful to receive a scan or copy.

 

This is the one I'm talking about. This photo is from Wakayama's 'Toso Kodogu Koza', which I have.

 

And this is from 'Nara Sansaku' by Ikeda Suematsu. I don't have that one so if a better scan is available that would be a big help too.

 

Thanks for reading,

 

regards,

 

Ford

[Curran]

Seen this one many times over the years. I looked in a few lesser known / lesser owned books where I thought this tsuba might be presented. To my surprise, it wasn't represented in any of the ones I checked. Still a few to go.

 

When researching a rare tsuba years ago, I old fashioned wrote and mailed to the NBTHK. I received _hand written_ in English replies that helped. You may be surprised by what they can provide to you in this manner. (?)

[Pete Klein]

I believe it is in the book, 'Nara San Saku'. Unfortunately, I do not have this volume any longer. I'll check the Nihonto Taikan soon as I have one coming in from Japan.

[Ford Hallam]

Thanks Gents, for the responses.

 

The actual tsuba is held by the Tokyo Nat. Museum but is privately owned so getting permission to see it, handle it and photograph it has thus far proved to be a non-starter.

 

Pete, yes, the second image I posted is from 'Nara-Sansaku' I know Ikeda Suematsu Sensei's son, Ikeda Nagamasa Sensei, I've asked him if he has some images for me....

[Soshin]

Hi Ford,

 

I have a small Japanese handbook on Tsuba that I purchased off of eBay for about $30 which shows this tsuba. But due to the very small size of the book it isn't scannable. I will try a photo of it when I get home. If it works I will post it.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Ford Hallam]

Hi David,

 

thanks for offer If it's little soft cover book about 5" high then I think I have it

 

edit to add;

 

I actually owe you a BIG thanks, David. I do have the little book you mentioned but I'd not bothered to look in it because the images are generally so small. However, after scanning it into the pc it turns out to be the most clear image I've yet found :D

[Soshin]

Hi Ford,

 

That is the little book I was talking about and it has a nice view of the omote and ura side of the Nara Toshinaga tsuba. I think the second tsuba below it is very similar but is mumei.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Ford Hallam]

Hi David,

 

yes, the lower tsuba is an utsushi made by Shimizu Nanzan. He was a professor of metalwork at Tokyo University of the Arts in the early Showa period. b:1875 - d:1948

 

He studied under Kano Natsuo and Fujita Bunzo. Later he became an Imperial Household Artist

[Curran]

Ford, for whatever reason, you have PM disabled.

 

Just for giggles, here is a cute copy for sale in Japan:

http://page7.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/g111424128