Brass tsuba

Hello: In addition to the fuchi in another topic the tanto had this tsuba. Here is a link to that thread:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15741

The puppy and sea shell must have some meaning in Japan that I am unfamiliar with. Information and comments appreciated. Shool? era?

Hi Barry,

two tantō tsuba similar to yours have been sold on eBay in 2007 and 2009, one being attributed by the seller to late Edo period (1800-1849):

abalone&puppy3.jpg.jpg[/attachment]

Bye, Mauro

This is a kogai by Goto Sojo, second Shirobei (mainline) master, with the same theme. This would have been from late Muromachi:

It is an abalone shell. Here is a link to Rich Turner's write up on a similar work: http://kodogunosekai.com/2007/12/04/kar ... %e6%ad%a2/

This is a kogai by Goto Sojo, second Shirobei (mainline) master, with the same theme. This would have been from late Muromachi:

[attachment=0]Sojo 001.jpg[/attachment]

It is an abalone shell.

Actually, the text says from the middle Muromachi period. It is attributed.

Goto Sojo was born in 1461 and died in 1538. He did most of his work under his father Yujo, the shodai, who lived from 1440 ->1512, so one might presume he worked from about 1475/80 until his death, much of that time doing pieces for his father. Now then, the Muromachi Jidai was from ~1337 to 1573 so it would appear that he worked in the latter half of the Muromachi as the midline would be ~1454. I will thus amend my remark to 'latter' instead of late, but it is not from middle as that was when his father was just beginning his work.

I'm not arguing with you, just reporting what the Japanese text says.....

Here's a netsuke:

Obviously there is a theme. Someone will solve the mystery shortly I expect

Brian

The unfortunate reality is that the book, 'Ko Kogai' has more than a few mis-attributions but it's a great picture book and seems to be mostly correct from what little I am able to decipher. Where else can you find over 500 pages of kogai in color plates? It's a tome, and hard to get a hold of also. It was published by the Fittings Museum along with other books such as, 'Mitokoromono Shu', the 'Kaneiye' and 'Nobuie' Tsuba exhibit books, and the eight volume set, 'Kano Natsuo Taikan'. Unfortunately for the owner the real estate bubble burst, but then again that is another story...

It was a sad thing to see the fittings museum close when the owner went bankrupt. It was a first class operation that really added something of major importance for those interested in swords and fittings. RIP Tosogu Bijutsukan....

Agreed, even though I was never there. It is quite obvious that a great passion was extinguished. I sometimes feel like Father Perrault...

Agreed, even though I was never there. It is quite obvious that a great passion was extinguished. I sometimes feel like Father Perrault...

You would have liked it- it was deluxe in every way....It was a trek for me but I was there fairly regularly. I would bet that when it closed and the collection was sold it must have been like losing a child for the owner.

You know Chris, all one has to do is look at the books produced to know this was a work of great pride. The volumes I mentioned above all have the usual outer storage sleeve but the boards are covered in silk fabric and the paper utilized is of highest quality, as is the quality of photography and printing. I never tire of opening these books, ever. I really wish I could have been there back in the day but my entrance into this field was not until 2002. I had a close encounter back in the 1970's but was too young and much too stupid to appreciate what was at hand. Oh well.

This (http://www.scholten-Japanese-art.com/netsuke_35.htm) may provide some insight to the meaning of the Puppy and Awabi Shell? Innocence/Purity?

Dog remains/burials have been found in Jōmon shell middens and dogs were used for hunting.

Perhaps the cord also has further significance with a Jōmon (Human/Canine) association?

Just guessing really!

I believe that I remember hearing that the awabi (abalone) and himo (rope) is simply a toy (and dogs love to chew on rope), and the combination of dog (which means a safe birth) and awabi (which often stands for a human female) means to "continue the family line."