Katchushi and Tosho Tsuba

[Henry Wilson]

What I will do, if others don’t mind, is post a few of my tusba from my Ko Tosho and Ko Katchushi collection. Some members seem to be quite interested in these two schools (as I am) so I will post around 4 more of what I think are nice peices from my collection in this thread over coming days.

 

To see a Ko Tosho tsuba, have a look at this thread;

http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13468&sid=049ddade3b820e50e9c4859b0280f89d

 

Some of the members who have been around for while have probably seen this tsuba before. It was the first ‘serious’ tsuba I bought a long time ago and I still love it.

It is what I would call a Ko Katchushi tsuba that probably dates to around the mid Muromachi period.

 

The dimensions are 8.8 cm x 8.4 cm, 0.2 cm in nakago ana and 0.4 cm at the rim. It is large, has a classic rim, the kind of brown and well forged metal, as well as a plenty of sukashi that I associate with katchushi. The plate is beautifully hammered and in great condition. There a few fold lines on the surface which are not lose or open in anyway.

 

The hitsuana are probably not original but the lead plugs are stamped and are very old so have taken a beautiful patina.

 

The sukashi is of a mon called Matsukawabishi　松皮菱. They are neatly arranged around the plate which has a very pleasing visual effect. Five are included and I am sure there is a meaning to this number. Just as a thought, how about a reference to Gozan Mountains :| ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Mountain_System

 

A few years back there was a thread on this mon design. Here is a extract that I think is relevant that was provide by Piers D.

 

According to this book on Hamon (Bessatu Rekishi to Tabi, Nihon no Hamon, Dai 3 go) the Hishi diamond-shaped water chestnut (caltrop) Mon goes way back, and examples can be found on clothes in the Sho-so-in.

 

Many families used the hishi Mon in many variations, but it was the Ogasawaras that particularly used both the pine bark Matsukawa-bishi and the Three-tiered Sandan-bishi. The san-dan starts with a large bottom layer and grows smaller to the top. The Matsukawa has the largest layer in the centre/center, and is said to represent the way pine bark actually looks. (?)

 

The founder of the Mitsubishi Zaidan, Mr Iwasaki, was descended from the Ogasawaras, and that is why he chose the company symbol, the book says.

 

The whole thread can be read here;

http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2687&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=matsukawabishi&sid=049ddade3b820e50e9c4859b0280f89d

 

Now, the problem is that on the rim of the tsuba is lovely flowing zogan done in silver and brass. It is of vines and at the four points on the tsuba (top , bottom, left and right) they are joined together by small flowers. (see the picture below for detail).

The zogan is about 70 percent intact and most of it has come of were the hand would have naturally rested when the sword was worn at the hip in the scabbard. The inlay is a simpler version of a style found on old horse stirrups and is probably a later addition.

The presence of this inlay would mean that it would probably be kantei to Ko Shoami.

 

Thanks for reading.

[Pete Klein]

This tsuba could very well be early, possibly first generation Haruta family work aka Bizen Suruga. The presence of kuchi beni points to the school and the katchushi form was used by the first generation. There was also Heianjo brass work done in Bizen. Might be worth a shinsa try.

[christianmalterre]

This is an nice Tsuba Henry

I actually do not see Haruta here Pete?-Those were Izumo situaded(at least while prospering);the Bizen Suruga you did mention may be Hirata but.

(perhaps you did just write wrong?)

There´s an Katchushi-style Tsuba made by one of those early Hirata smiths in the Vautier collection which shows simmilar careness and symmetry in it´s execution.

 

Relating to attribute it as an Ko-Katchushi,i but actually doupt a bit...

For me,it´s rather an Katchushi-style Tsuba from begin of Tokugawa times 17th...

Can you provide an better view on the execution of the Seppa-Dai area Henry?

The general execution is such finely worked out....

 

Christian

[Pete Klein]

I was referring to the Suruga branch, first generation recognized as Haruta Chuzaemon, later called Takutsugu, living in Suruga Province in Tensho era. No signed work. The few pieces attributed to him are in Katchushi style. Later moved to Bizen where he is thought to have been a tsuba-ko.

Refer to, "Tsuba Geijutsu-ko", pg. 31 NCJSC translation 2007.

[Henry Wilson]

Thank you of the comments everyone.

 

This tsuba could very well be early, possibly first generation Haruta family work aka Bizen Suruga

Hi Pete

 

I remember you saying this before. I will check it out.

Refer to, "Tsuba Geijutsu-ko", pg. 31 NCJSC translation 2007.

I don't have this reference. Can you provide a summary of it or even better some scans?

 

Can you provide an better view on the execution of the Seppa-Dai area Henry?

Hi Christian

 

I will get the camera out and try to get a variety of shots. Stay tuned.

There´s an Katchushi-style Tsuba made by one of those early Hirata smiths in the Vautier collection which shows simmilar careness and symmetry in it´s execution.

Can you post a picture or a link?

 

Many thanks everyone

[Soshin]

Hi Henry,

 

That is a really nice tsuba you have. :D It like another tsuba in collection has many indications that it is old (pre Edo Period) but does not fit well into any category. Would it be alright to post it on this topic as a former owner was thinking it was a early Katchushi tsuba circa the Muromachi Period? Another well respected collector was thinking it is a Ko-Shoami tsuba. It might take me a few days to post it as I am fighting off a bad cold right now. Take care.

 

P.S. There is the scan of page 31 from the book Pete K. referenced in his post.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Henry Wilson]

Hi David

 

I am glad you like the tsuba and thanks for the scan. On seeing it, I actually have the same book but none the less thank you for taking the time to look it up and post it here.

 

Please feel free to post the tsuba you refer to. I probably will post another tsuba in a couple of days so the sooner you can post it.... I would be most grateful .

 

I hope you get over your cold soon. お大事に

[Soshin]

Hi Henry,

 

Here is the tsuba. I was able to take some good photos before getting sick this past weekend. The measurements for my unknown but old tsuba are 7.2 cm X 7.0 cm, 2.8 mm seppa-dai, 2.0 mm at rim. I think it is old based upon how the design is done, thinness of the plate, and shape of the kozuka hitsu-ana. Below is a write up I did about the design of the tsuba.

The small openwork (ko-sukashi 小透) and the shaped rim design is well done forming the kuyo mon (九曜紋) design composed of empty (openwork) and positive (surface) space. The contrast is very dynamic but subdued and not overly flashy. The kuyo mon was used throughout the Muromachi and Momoyama Periods as the kamon for the Hosokawa clan. This tsuba might have belong to a member of the family or a retainer of the clan.

Here are my comments about the iron:

The iron of the tsuba plate displays interest and variety from being well forged and hammered with a light Tsuchime Ji (槌目地) and fine tekkotsu (鉄骨) along the rim. The patina of the tsuba has a wonderful purplish back color.

 

Enjoy. Comments and questions welcome.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Henry Wilson]

Hi David

 

It is very nice tsuba but I don't see a resemblance to my tsuba you are referring to. The metal looks like a dark black which is more in line with Tosho in my opinion. It could be old (pre Edo) but the metal does not look it from the pictures. Thanks for sharing.

 

Below are close ups of the seppa dai area as requested by Christian.

 

 

 

 

 

Best regards

[christianmalterre]

Dear Henry,

 

i certainly would-if i just could...did browse the net;it but obviously seems,that an link does not exist?

could provide you with an image of that Tsuba-here but-Laugh!-not yet,as mine scanner did choose so to go to Walhalla and i first have to buy me an new one...

(made pictures of some remaining Tsuba and Tosogu of this collection in Paris-where i equally had the possibility so to study them-the one spoken did show the similar arabesque Zogan in silver and gold,like the your´s one,equally not signed.

Now seeing better the Seppa Dai area-i do even feel more confortable with what i wrote first...definitely an Shinsa candidate in mine eyes!Pete is hard right in thinking to submit it...)

Attached(an picture of an Dia)-which right this moment is the only possibility i actually do have..LOL!

You certainly do have an lovely candidate here!Congrats

 

Christian

[Henry Wilson]

Hi Christian

 

Thank you for the reply. When you can I would love to see a scan of the picture that you are referring to.

 

The small pic looks equally as interesting. A bigger picture would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks again for everything.

[Soshin]

Hi David

It is very nice tsuba but I don't see a resemblance to my tsuba you are referring to. The metal looks like a dark black which is more in line with Tosho in my opinion. It could be old (pre Edo) but the metal does not look it from the pictures. Thanks for sharing.

 

Hi Henry,

 

This is the only tsuba in my collection right now that has ever received the label of Katchushi tsuba. The color of my tsuba is very different. Yours have more of a brownish-black color while mine has more of a plain dark black color. I think the plate was cleaned of all rust by the previous owner above what I would have done but I still like the design and feel of the iron.

I would also like to echo Christian and Pete's call that your "katchushi" tsuba in question would be a good candidate for shinsa specifically NBTHK shinsa as you live in Tokyo and would be very easy to submit. There is a shinsa coming up in August that has a tsuba of mine with the same kamon design as your tsuba. I think my tsuba will paper hozon to Edo Period, Owari Sukashi. This is just my opinion.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Pete Klein]

David -- the next NBTHK fittings shinsa is October. No shinsa in August and September is Juyo Shinsa.

[Soshin]

Hi Pete,

 

Thanks for the correction. I did not check the NBTHK website before posting to the tread. I hope in the not too distant fulture to be submitting something to the Juyo shinsa.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Henry Wilson]

Thanks to everyone for all their comments on the tsuba above. I am definitely considering submitting it for shinsa.

 

Below is the next tsuba. It is 8.0 cm x 7.4 cm and 0.2 cm thick. It is testu, mokko gata with kaku mimi ko niku. The metal is a fine black with brown undertones. The ko sukashi is of the moon and a star. The pictures make it look heavy and rugged where in fact, it is a finer and more delicate then the pictures illustrate.

 

The interesting features of this tsuba are the nice and skillfully executed shape, the fact the ko sukashi are located quite far in on the plate and not towards the rim as well as the narrow and long kozuka ana. In my opinion the ko sukashi is not udenuki ana as it is not in the right position to be of practical use. By the way, the kozuka ana was filled a few months ago in Tokyo. The lead used is from the Meiji period.

 

The type and colour of metal and the overall design points to Tosho and going on the metal alone I would say with confidence that it is pre Edo, making it Ko Tosho from the Muromachi period.

 

However when in the Muromachi period could it be dated to? The key in my opinion is the shape of the kozuka ana.

 

Referring to “Tosogu no Kigen” (Origins of Tosogu), the research that Sasano Masayuki did on kozuka and kogai is very interesting and he reveals and tries to put to rest a lot of discrepancies of theories that have arisen over the centuries.

 

There seems to be surprisingly a lot of confusion and contradiction of when kozuka (and kogai) first emerged and what they were used for. Kogai seem to be older and regarded as more important than kozuka. Early Muromachi kozuka are believed to be re-worked kogai, and there seems to be a lot more old kogai in existence than kozuka.

 

From what I understand, kozuka seem to have first appeared in the Heian / Kamakura period as seen on a very few old and special koshirae. Extant examples disappear through the Nanbokucho period but re-surface in the Muromachi period, initially seen in what is attributed to the early work of the Goto school. Then they seem to become more abundant from the Momoyama period.

 

There is a lot of difference of opinions over how the early kozuka were used. Below is a list of some of them that I have read about.

Over the years they have thought to have been used;

- to cut paper for labelling heads taken in battle.

- to pierce a head so a cord could be threaded through.

- to cut fruit and poultry while on campaign.

- as a throwing knife / back-up weapon.

- to sharpen swords in emergencies if sword stones were not available.

 

Maybe their heavy use is why so few pre-Momoyama kozuka exist?

 

From the few old kozuka that exist from the Muromachi period, the carving on the surface is of a lower relief so a large kozuka ana was not needed as large takabori carving was not in vogue. The common characteristics are that they are long, relatively narrow and flat.

 

The following page 246 from Tosogu no Kigen puts a few old tsuba in chronological order depending on hitsuana shape.

 

In my opinion, my guard in question has a kozuka ana that is approximately the same shape as the top left and the same length as the kozuka ana in the tsuba next to it and to me it looks like a combination of both ana. From this I would therefore concluded that my mokko tusba is early Muromachi.

 

For more information on the evolution on kozuka, kogai and hitsuana, I would recommend reading Tosogu no Kigen by Sasano Masayuki and translation done by Markus Sesko.

 

Thanks for reading.

[Soshin]

The type and colour of metal and the overall design points to Tosho and going on the metal alone I would say with confidence that it is pre Edo, making it Ko Tosho from the Muromachi period.

However when in the Muromachi period could it be dated to? The key in my opinion is the shape of the kozuka ana.

 

Hi Henry,

 

Thank you so much for the wonderful write up about another one of your fine tsuba. Pieces in your collection never fail to amaze me. :D Keep in mind that with both NTHK and NBTHK use the Japanese term Ko-Tosho only for Tosho tsuba that they date from middle Muromachi Period and earlier. This is a little bit different then how Sasano and Dr. Torigoye use the term in their books. In regards to your current tsuba if they would paper it to Tosho or Ko-Tosho would depend on what part of the Muromachi they think the tsuba dates from. Just some food for thought.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Henry Wilson]

Hi David

 

Thank you very much for the kind words of appreciation and your comments on NBTHK and NTHK. I intended to include two more tsuba which I will do after the weekend.

 

Regards

[christianmalterre]

for those who do not have this....

TBJ Issue 4/Spring 1980

[Henry Wilson]

Thanks

 

a nice addition I think Christian, and some great info.

 

Best regards

[Henry Wilson]

Here is another tusba from my collection. It is 8.45 cm x 8.45 cm and 0.25 cm seppa dai, 0.2cm at the rim. The shape is perfect round and the profile is Go Ishi Gata 碁石形 or “Go stone shape”.

 

 

Here is the information from the seller.

http://www.yamabushiantiques.com/TSUBA96.htm

 

Early Ubu Iron Tsuba

 

Large marugata (round) iron tsuba, with concentric grooves. This tsuba was likely originally used in a tachi mounting. The iron plate is folded, with clearly visible fold lines most easily seen within the nakago ana, as well as at 9 o'clock on the obverse side face. The dense brown iron looks and feels very similar to early Onin or ko katchushi tsuba. The plate is thin, with a slight taper from the seppadai to the edge. There are minute punch marks on the plate, done with a rectangular tool, making a very fine, sparse ishime. The unusual concentric motif is reminiscent of early kamakura-bori workmanship. The grooves were cut by hand with a chisel of some form, as its evident on detailed inspection that there are barely visible irregularities in the width and depth of the grooves. In a couple of areas, it seems that tiny remnants of the guide-lines remain at the edge of the grooves.

It is amazing that this tsuba survived in its ubu (unaltered) form, and has not had any hitsu-ana added at a later date. I think this fact is a testament of the esteem which this tsuba was regarded by its long line of owners. Tsuba such as this are very important as they illustrate that the naming conventions and "categories" we use today are wholly derivatives of assumptions and opinions, and would likely have had little or no merit in antiquity. This tsuba shares features with KoTosho, Ko Katchushi, Kamakura bori and Onin groups...

We cannot underscore how rare it is to find tsuba in this condition from such an early period. This tsuba is among the best quality we have offered through this site, and would become a focal point of any tosogu collection.

 

Nanbokucho - Early Muromachi (ca. 1400).

 

What I especially like about it is the fact that the design is reminiscent of an old Chinese mirror. Below is a photo from a past Nezu Museum exhibition.

Painted mirror.　 Western Han Dynasty. Bronze with polychrome. 2nd Century BC. Diameter 23 cm weight 720 grams.

 

１７ Above、彩画鏡

前漢時代 （前二世紀）

径　二三．０　cm 重七二〇g

 

鈕のまわりを同小円状に幅広凹面圈帯がめぐり、それによって区画された円圈文様帯に彩色で文様を描く。文様を鋳造であらわすのではなく、漆をベースとした顔料によって描く彩画鏡は戦国時代中頃に楚国領域で出現し、前漢時代中頃までみられる。

どくに前漢時代の鏡には、円圈帯に細密で色彩豊かな文様が描かれている。

内容は龍鳳などの禽獣文から雲気文、神仙人物文までヴァリエーションに富む。

本鏡は錆などの表面劣化により内容が判らなくなっている部分が多く、わずかに人物像、樹木、狩猟風景などが確認できるものの全体の画題を把握できない。

 

Of course I am not saying that this tsuba is any way near as old as the mirror, however I do find the similarity very interesting.

 

Thanks for reading.

[Soshin]

Hi Henry W.,

 

Again very nice tsuba. To me this tsuba was likely used on a Tachi and not a Uchigatana. This explains who purchased the tsuba from the Yamabushi website. One minor point with your write up the shape of the tsuba is maru-gata not goishi-gata. To see a good example of the goishi-gata shape please refer to my Daruma tsuba I posted with NTHK kanteisho. It says goishi-gata on the paper.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Henry Wilson]

Hi David

 

Thanks for the kind words.

 

To me this tsuba was likely used on a Tachi and not a Uchigatana.

 

It could have been used on both. I might have originally been used on a tachi and then mounted on an uchigatana. However to me, very old tachi tusba have a different shape and seem slightly more naive. Like this:

http://www.yamabushiantiques.com/BM%20Nanbokucho%20Tachishi%20Wave%20and%20Mon%20Tsuba.htm

 

However on the other hand, here is a famous picture of Ashikaga Takauji (the 1st Ashikaga Shogun) painted in 1359. It is hard to see from the picture below, Tosogu no Kigen p.80 has a clearer version.

If you can see the tsuba at his hip (not the kuruma shaped one that is raised above his head), you notice the same shape. I am not saying it was his :lol: but some old scrolls depict tsuba have round tsuba on tachi, I have just never seen any myself.

One minor point with your write up the shape of the tsuba is maru-gata not goishi-gata.

 

I think mine is both The outline is Maru gata (round shaped) but the cross-section is in the shape of a go piece or a convex lens which is what I mean by "the profile is Go Ishi Gata 碁石形 or “Go stone shape”

 

Best regards

[Henry Wilson]

Attached are pictures of the final tsuba of the thread. It is a small iron Tosho tsuba at 6.9cm x 6.5 cm and 0.2 cm thick with a square rim and I think it probably dates to around the Sengoku period. The metal is very old and quite worn and has a lovely deep brown colour. The front seems to have a coat of old clear lacquer which has turned a slight milky colour over time. It is very thin with a sukashi that could be described as 蓮華花びら or lotus flower petal which is similar in design to this tsuba:

http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13468&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=9c6a7d1537e9cddfbbebbd2c28bdf705

 

It is quite small and simple and all in all seems quite blunt which makes me think it was probably used on a short one-handed sword used by low ranking warriors. The kozuka ana is an interesting shape which I think is probably original to the tsuba or a least very old.

 

So there you have it, as promised 4 Katchushi / Tosho style tsuba from my collection. I have enjoyed photoing them and writing-up my notes and thoughts on them and thank you all for reading.

 

[christianmalterre]

Dear Henry,

 

thank you for posting all your´s little Bees here!

Your´s collection(what is shared here by you) is very much impressive!

Great Tsuba-Great Taste-Great Eye...

(nothing to add from mine part actually...LOL!)

:D !!!!!!!!

 

Hearthly! :D

 

Christian

[Brian]

Have enjoyed viewing and reading about them

Thanks for sharing Henry, I am sure there will be more to add in the future.

 

Brian

[Jean]

Thanks Henry, very interesting, I enjoyed this thread

[Henry Wilson]

Thank you all for your kind words

[Soshin]

Hi Henry,

 

I'm trying to find a smiley for envy. I think this could be it but I am not sure. As I have said again before in the thread. Very nice tsuba! :D

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles