czoller

Thank you for the information. When I finally get the coin and my book, I will start my research. I will be sure to let you know what I find (if anything:) )

I do not have the coin yet. To be honest, it is an Ebay purchase (VERY inexpensive). Here is a picture of the back. The listing said 1600's as to the date. But I like to discover things for myself (maybe getting a little old and not willing to trust so much:) ) Chris

Thank you very much for the reply. As soon as my books arrive and I've had time to study, I will let you know what I can determine about the coin. I am just trying to date it at this time. Chris

The back doesn't have the wave, it has what I have think is the Bun mark. Do you have any other info? I have purchased a book about these coins to see if I can date it. The research I've seen says that the date can be determined by the way the Kanji is written. I am still trying to learn: :D Thank you, Chris

Thank you for the reply. It has started me on a path which is already yielding much information. Chris

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what is written on this coin. I assume it to be a date. Thanks, Chris

David, Thank you for the information. So as it stands now all I can say for certain is that I have a sanmai tsuba (brass over copper) with a common dragon and waves theme, and no fukurin. I think it is also safe to assume it was made at the same time as another using the same plate mold (my opinion only). I can not come to a conclusion on the date, but am leaning to late Edo and probably shiiremono. Regards, Chris

Franco, Thank you for your information. I agree with what that site says. I was just questioning the information I read on the site I referenced and how it pertains to my tsuba. I guess either the date stated or the description is wrong. David, My tsuba is definitely sanmai. As a matter os fact, there is a bit of plate separation in the nakago ana and the copper is plainly visible. And the image is the same on both sides, just like the one referenced on the web site. John, I do not know why the fukurin is missing. As mentioned above, the tsuba is definitely brass(?) layered over copper. All, I am asking about what information I can deduce about my tsuba from the web site listed. Is it strange that the two tsuba have exactly the same cover plates? Thanks, Chris

I posted this tsuba about a month ago looking for comments. I received several answers which confirmed my suspicion that this tsuba was probably late Edo shiiremono. I thought this correct and moved on. I am still very much a novice at this. In the course of further readings, on various subjects, I stumbled upon the following web site. Please look at the Ko-Kinko tsuba about 3/4's of the way down the page. http://www.swordsandtsuba.com/tsuba/miscpage1.html (Item T026). It appears to me to be an exact copy of my tsuba (attached). It is the same size. I compared images from that site and mine with photoshop and they match perfectly (adjusting for image size, an kogai hitsu-ana, no fukurin, and wear). One question is about the site's attribution. I do not have a copy of the reference cited to confirm any statements made. I know that sanmai tsubas can be made with a mold for the plates. Was the same mold used on both tsubas? Does this indicate the same time of manufacture? Is the 1700's a correct time frame? Is Goto style correct? Could mine be a copy made at a later date? Or . . . Any comments would be appreciated. Chris

Mariusz, Thank you for the reply. I agree with your assessment. The motif just caught my uneducated (but trying to learn) eyes.

John - Thanks for the information. Anyone else have any comments on the tsuba? Possible age? Thanks . . .

I am looking comments about this tsuba. It is sanmai, copper center. It has the same design on both sides. There is a little bit of separation in the nakago ana on the Kozuka side. There is also a very small "stamp" marking that looks like an 8 sided flower near the seppa dai area on the Kogai side (as marked with arrow in the third image). It is very clear under magnification, very regular, and is definitely indented - not painted). I hope the pictures are acceptable. This is my first post and my first tsuba. Thank you, Chris