Is this Toshu Yamamoto?

[davidv7]

Hello.
I need a little help with an item I am looking on ebay.
The seller says that this item is an original Toshu Yamamoto of Bizen Chawan. The sign should read RAKU-YU and the seller says it is the nickname with wich the great master was known when he was young.
I also noticed that the sign does not match the sign on the box.
Could someone help me in this matter?
What does the sign says (on the bowl and on the box).
How can I know that this is an original Yamamoto?
Thanks to all.

[Robert Fornell]

Hi davidv7,

The box says "chawan" and the stamp reads from top to bottom, Bizen, while the bottom 2 characters running horizontally read "rakuyu" or "yuraku". Whether or not this is related to the person in question I don't know, however as the bowl was "signed" with a chop it may be one of a mass produced variety. IMHO the clay seems a bit light in color for it to be Bizen......

Best,
R

[davidv7]

Thank You very much Ronin!
I`m glad I didn`t jump on this one.
I learned a new thing it - seems that real handwork is signed by hand and mass produced kiln work by stamp - if I understand You correctly.
It is very difficult to evaluate if one seller is telling You the truth.
Best
David

[Tead Off]

Thank You very much Ronin!
I`m glad I didn`t jump on this one.
I learned a new thing it - seems that real handwork is signed by hand and mass produced kiln work by stamp - if I understand You correctly.
It is very difficult to evaluate if one seller is telling You the truth.
Best
David

I wonder if that's true?! I have a hard time believing that.

[Robert Fornell]

Thank You very much Ronin!
I`m glad I didn`t jump on this one.
I learned a new thing it - seems that real handwork is signed by hand and mass produced kiln work by stamp - if I understand You correctly.
It is very difficult to evaluate if one seller is telling You the truth.
Best
David

Hi David,

Perhaps a bit of a misunderstanding here or perhaps semantics. In Japan there are 2 parallel systems, one group called shokunin, or production potters who mass produce work by hand, and the other being tougeika who tend to make smaller "runs" of work as well as one offs. This piece very well could be hand made. Bizen clay is usually more of a rich cinnamon/chocolate brown color. Hope this helps....

Best,
R

[JBaymore]

I'll second Robert's comment on the tsuchi aji...... qualities of the clay body (lit. clay taste).... at least from the photos it does not look like the "typical" Bizenyaki clay.

Usually the box will have more info than that if it is a more "special" piece rather than kiln production run. Particularly the artist's hanko. That seems a like "production run" box.....generic. Possibly an "after the fact" addition to the piece.

See if you can get the seller to give you a better picture of the kodai (foot of the piece). Post that here if you can.

best,

................john

[davidv7]

Thank You very much to all.
I think I understand now. It was strange to me the box without an artist hanko for an artist of this stature.
I passed this one and it is gone now.
Regards,
David

[JBaymore]

It was strange to me the box without an artist hanko for an artist of this stature.

David,

Exactly!

On Ebay... all that glitters is not gold.

best,

...............john