Dragon Fly Kozuka

I bought a very nice koshirae recently and this is the kozuka attached. It is solid silver as all the fittings are and depicts a dragon fly.

The signature 政　随 or SHOZUI breaks up the irregualar lines on the back. By judging the workmanship, would anyone like to comment on whether they think it is GIMEI or not.

Henry,

first impressions are that this is quite a pleasing piece. It's accomplished and shows no signs of cutting corners or uncertainty. Clearly the work of a seasoned artist with a solid classical training.

The design itself is not one of the usual generic compositions that simply slap a dragonfly in the middle of the piece. I get a sense of an artist looking for something a little more sophisticated. The modelling around the eyes and where the wings attach to the body is very well defined and expressive. The little fore legs are a lovely touch that adds a real delicacy, especially when we consider the true size of this kozuka.

Having said all that, and as you did ask for opinions based on the workmanship not the mei, I'd have to say that I'm still left feeling I expected more from the founder of the Hamano school. The general stylistic sensibility also seems that of the late Edo period and as the famous Hamano artist died in 1769 I would suggest this is not the same man.

The mei is actually quite different from any of the many examples of the Hamano masters style I have looked at. In fact your example is cut in a more beautiful and elegant manner compared to the somewhat haphazard appearance of the master. In my opinion this is the work of another artist, working much later, and who used the same kanji in his mei.

Haynes lists an Ishiguro family artist of the same name.

regards,

Ford

Hi Henry,although it's a nice and well-made Kozuka,I believe it's not made by "Big" Shozui:student or Gimei?Here comes a pic with 2 Kozuka with the vertical waves (?) design similar to your piece:Ludolf

Many thanks Ford and Ludolf for your thoughts and comments. I was pretty sure it was not the BIG Shozui but wanted to check so I can get on with enjoying it!!!

I like your idea Ford,　

  Ford Hallam said:

In my opinion this is the work of another artist, working much later, and who used the same kanji in his mei.

 

Haynes lists an Ishiguro family artist of the same name.

Do you have the kanji for the school so I (or anyone else) can do some research and see if anything interesting can be found.

Cheers all

Hi Henry,

sorry, I don't have any images of "the other" Shozui mei that I'm aware of off hand. I'll keep an eye open though. You know how these things "suddenly" pop everywhere once you become conscious of them

I found the kanji in the Koza. ISHI GURO / 石 黒

If anyone has any info on a tosogu shi who signed

石黒 政随

I would be very grateful and I am offering a bounty of a if you are coming to the DTI this autumn.

Cheers

Found this on Ishiguru. While there are a lot of smiths with 政, there is no one listed as 政随. Also stylistically, the kanji of mine is not that similar with what is published.

Any Ideas?

Yes, I have an idea Henry -- it's gimei Shozui and not Ishiguro work. But then I could be wrong. (lol)

Sorry for being boring. Just putting up what I have found.

Henry -- you're not being boring at all! My remark was just to point out that you might be going in the wrong direction with the Ishiguro school. Ishiguro was some of the highest grade work done in their time so to look there is a rather ambitious endeavor, that's all.

Thanks Pete. I did not know that Ishiguro is regarded as so good.

Do you think that the kozuka could be GIMEI? Someone trying to pass the kozuka off as HAMANO SHOZUI? I just think the MEI so not SHOZUI that I am a bit confused and groping around in the dark

In all honesty that is where I would go. It's nice work but I think it's by someone using a known name to their own benefit. I'd ask around the shops just to get opinion. Trust me, I am wrong many times so it's always good to get qualified opinion.

Here is an example of Ishiguro work for those not familiar:

http://ginzaseikodo.com/koreyoshiE.html

PS: For those who have the Compton Catalogue #1 there are several tsuba examples shown.

I must agree with Pete's very obvious point that this kozuka doesn't look much like classic Ishiguro school work. However, that's not enough to discount the mei as therefore not legitimate. Have we seen all the work this school produced...?

I refer back to my initial observation that the mei in question is so unlike the "real thing" that there may have been no intent to deceive. That coupled with the very obvious dissimilarity with the famous Shozui's mei or the stylistic traits of the Ishiguro school would suggest to me the work of an innocent artist who happened to use the same kanji... My reference to a possible Ishiguro school artist remain unexplored.

Hi Henry,

If you desire I have all the Compton Catalogs and would be willing to scan any tsuba in it for you and send them along. Let me know I would be happy to do so. Ed F

That is a beautiful kozuka either way. I am posting a few pictures of a tsuba I have with the Shozui mei on it. I've been thinking about submitting it for shinsa in Minneapolis, but would value the opinion of members of the NMB. Forgive my amateur photography!

Thanks Robert. It is from this koshirae.

Robert,

Overall shots of the whole tsuba both sides?

Brian

Hi all:

Perhaps this eBay auction sheds some light on the kozuka in question: http://cgi.ebay.com/4124-J-P-Samurai-sword-Edo-Kachimushi-zu-Signed-Kozuka-/220835277853?pt=Asian_Antiques&hash=item336aceec1d#ht_1766wt_1398. The two kozukas seem to be identical, down to the smallest details, except for the finish.

I assume that they are both cast copies of something, with different coatings. No doubt the original was even more attractive!

Regards,

On closer inspection, I guess that it is possible that the eBay version is a cast copy of Henry's, although that seems like a mighty big coincidence.