Possible Yagyu Tsuba?

[Krystian]

Hello, 

 

I found almost the same tsuba in Sasano book. Shape and size is identical as in Yagyu tsuba in the book. But there are no good enough pictures for me to compare. Could you share some close up photos of real Yagyu and some of your knowledge? 

 

Thank you in advance. 

 

There is simiar one on sale at Aoi

 

https://www.aoijapan.com/tsuba-mumei-attributed-as-yagyu

 

 

Best Regards, 

 

Krystian

[Curran]

I would say 'No', but then I would not have called the one on Aoi Arts a Yagyu either.

So what do I know?

 

Any chance you can read the old signature on this one you have shown?

I haven't exactly seen many signed Yagyu, but then again that doesn't mean the signature is 100% original to the tsuba.

[ROKUJURO]

The iron does not look typical for YAGYU.

[Guest]

Krystian

Not a bad tsuba. Also not Yagyu in my opinion. What little I know tells me the iron is not rich enough, the angles/edges of the openings are too sharp, there is a signature Yagyu are typically mumei. The form is often copied, a Yagyu piece would be smaller in diameter, and a bit thicker in my mind. I agree with Curran, dont care much for the tsuba on Aoi.

 

Your signature looks like Shoami to me but thats just guessing...

-t

[Pete Klein]

Mei is Sadanaga aka 'Teimei' and is Owari area so stylistic sharing.  There was so much cross-over 'copying' in Japan it's best to never assume that because something looks like another that it is equivalent.  In the case of 'Yagyu' it is not a specific tsubashi but designs from a school of swordsmanship so tsuba cold be by any of numerous makers of the area but mumei.