Size/shapes Of Tsuba

[kissakai]

Hi

Can anyone give me an idea when a tsuba changes from round to oval?

I know that size would be a consideration so maybe better to use a %

 

As a hijack to my own post, does anyone have a tsuba that is wider than its height?

I have a Nara tsuba that is 75 x 76 (wide) x 5.4mm

I know it is only 1mm but it is an anomaly that doesn't occur on any other of my tsuba

 

 

Grev UK

 

 

[Greg F]

Hello Grev, i have a Tsuba that is around 2mm wider than the height. It is a sanmei, mokko shape floral design. Happy to put up a pic tomorrow if you need it. All the best.

 

Greg

[kissakai]

Hi Greg

Always nice to see an image and I'm wondering how rare it is

[Greg F]

here you go Grev, its not in the best condition but i enjoy looking at it under magnifying glass. Im not sure how common it is in regards to the width vs height but know ive seen it before. Interesting though.

cheers.

 

Greg

[Greg F]

Just saw the pics are sideways, my apologies. Next time i use my phone i will try remember to turn it round.

[MauroP]

Hi Grev,
I have at least 3 tsuba where the transverse axis is longer than the vertical one, but the difference is less than one millimeter,  so I assume it's just a negligible deviation from perfect maru-gata.

Mauro

[kissakai]

Hi

Personally I have no other tsuba that is even 0.25mm wider than it is high!

To me this appears to be by design so I wonder about the few that are different

I think width to height is still rare

 

If I can also ask about my other question about oval/round classification

For example if we take 80mm as an average height

A width is 78mm = 98%

A width of 76mm = 95%

[Livio 3rd]

Hello Grev,

 

This tsuba, papered to Kyo Sukashi, is little more than 79.5 mm high and 81 mm wide. So the horizontally oriented decoration isn't all that contributes to the full, wide appearance. It is rather thin at less than 3mm (perhaps that at the seppa dai).

 

Lee

 

[kissakai]

Hi Lee

Nice tsuba that like mine is at least 1mm wider than it is high

[peterd]

Haven't seen anything that is intentionally wider than tall but lots in nihonto to learn.

 

I think most are round(ish). I have one thats 84h 74w.

[Greg F]

Both interesting Tsuba.

Peter I love the dragon Tsuba!

Lee is your lovely Kyo Sukashi the same width on the rim at the sides as the rim on the top and bottom? Just curious.

 

Greg

[Livio 3rd]

Hi Greg,

 

Do you mean width of the mimi (thickness of the tsuba)? It is fairly consistent at nearly 3mm thick all around. The slightest variance along the rim appears to have no correlation to position along the circumference.

 

A bit unusual, I think, for a Kyo Sukashi tsuba to have so much uncarved, positive space in the design. I imagine it could paper differently if submitted again (last time was 35th year of Showa, October - 1961 I believe).

 

Lee

[Greg F]

Lee sorry I didnt make much sense, yes i was talking about the mimi. Cheers.

 

Greg

[Livio 3rd]

No problem   I just didn't want to seem to contradict myself by saying the tsuba is the same width all around (not that a mm or so is terribly significant, or that anyone would mistake 3mm for the width). Your example's greater width is more apparent at 2mm more than height.

 

Cheers,

 

Lee