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Subject:Japanese bronze Amida Buddha
Posted By: Cameron Mon, Jun 22, 2015 IP: 110.146.166.50
Hi,
I've been trying to learn more about this beautiful statue.
The statue was acquired by my grandfather in the 1930's. I know he was in Japan in 1934, but may have visited at other times in the 1920's and 1930's.
The piece is approximately 30cm tall.
A Japanese colleague has translated the inscription as "Shun - Hou - Created by". I have Google searched every convolution of this with no luck.
I'm hoping someone out there might be able to help me out with dating the statue, and even identifying the artist if that's possible. In fact any information or ideas would be welcome.
Cheers, Cameron





Subject:Re: Japanese bronze Amida Buddha
Posted By: Bill H Tue, Jun 23, 2015
The inscription appears to read "Harumine Tsukuru" (Made by Harumine). See the link for an informative auction result from the sale of a similarly marked Japanese Amida Buddha image. Note that the auction listing shows the mark upside down.

Best regards,

Bill H.

URL Title :Harumine Buddha


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Subject:Re: Japanese bronze Amida Buddha
Posted By: Gman Tue, Jun 23, 2015
Strange how the signature in the above photo looks like an overlay added in photoshop, not at all like the incised example from the Buddha in the auction listing.

I am having a hard time imagining the above signature on the base of the Buddha in the photo. Is it painted on? Why is it so perfect when the base of the statue shows obvious scratches and wear?

Cheers
Gman

Subject:Re: Japanese bronze Amida Buddha
Posted By: Cameron Thu, Jun 25, 2015
Hi Gman,
I see what you mean; it looks like brush strokes. However the inscription has definitely been engraved/carved into the bronze. How that can be done with a chisel (or whatever it is) I have no idea. Amazing work to be always hidden under the statue.
In the sweeping curve of the bottom character you can see what I imagine to be tiny marks made each time the chisel was struck.
Here's another shot of the inscription without the fancy digital filtering.
Cheers, Cameron



Subject:Re: Japanese bronze Amida Buddha
Posted By: Cameron Tue, Jun 23, 2015
Thanks Bill.
That info has really helped to fill in some gaps.
It also let me find a link to some info on the manufacturer.

URL Title :Nogawa Bronze


Subject:Re: Japanese bronze Amida Buddha
Posted By: Gman Wed, Jun 24, 2015
Pretty amazing that the photo of the Buddha in Cameron's link is the exact same photo of Buddha included at the auction listing link provided by Bill H.

Fascinating
Gman

Subject:Re: Japanese bronze Amida Buddha
Posted By: Bill H Thu, Jun 25, 2015
I don't have any specialized knowledge about Japanese Buddhas, but from what I've gathered here and there, it would appear that quite a few images associated with various Japanese shrines are mass-produced out of the same mold for sale to devotees making pilgrimages. Add to this the matter of subsequent generations perpetuating the names of famous forebears in the sculpting and casting of such images, and it makes for big headaches for those seeking to authenticate the images. I'm happy to leave that job to the experts.

Bill H.

Subject:Re: Japanese bronze Amida Buddha
Posted By: Gman Fri, Jun 26, 2015
Hi Bill H.

No expert here, but I was not referring to the imagery as regards making copies from a mold, I was referring to the fact that the actual photo from the Nogawa Bronze website linked to by Cameron, is the same photo shown at the auction link you posted.

Look at the patina of the statues in this photo, which shows the photos of the two Buddhas in question side by side. In processing the photo I simply sized the two images to match and added them as layers to a new file, no color corrections, nor any other processing. Like the patina of the statues, the backgrounds of the two images are identical.

That would indicate to me, that the photos are likely the same photo of the same statue, not two separate photos of two separate statues which are copies from the same mold.
Just sayin'.

Cheers
Gman




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