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Thanks again for looking into it. I thought due to the pointed seppa dai and it being very thick at 7mm, it might go earlier than that. My books mostly focus on the generations 1-4 and say very little on what later generations look like. Though they do say later generations tend to run thinner and tend to be more in the style of Higo which this one is neither. Of course this one could be an exception to the rule. The Sasano Early Guards book has a 1st generation example with a similar design having 3 birds (not herons like mine though), pier, and river motif. I would take that to mean this is an Akasaka styled design rather than Higo. Another problem I have is that I do not know what "early" iron truly looks like in hand. I only have pictures to compare it too. Perhaps the more homogeneous nature of the iron of mine points to a later generation? I look forward to hearing from others as well.

Thanks for the info. Here is a pic of the paper.

Recently acquired Akasaka tsuba with NBTHK papers. I am trying to figure out what generation to attribute this piece. I looked into my books and they have given me an idea but would like to get your opinion on it. Dimensions are 65mm wide x 71mm tall and 7mm thickness. Pics attached.

Well then, that makes more sense. I read that wrong.

David - Yes, I noticed that ebay one as well. It has a lot of pitting on the rim and the top part of the seppa dai is just terribly executed if you ask me. Yours has a nicer shape and flows nicely into the flower petals. If you paid half of what the ebay one went for, I would say you got a very good deal.

I really like that tsuba as well, thanks for sharing!

John - Are you saying, you found a similar tsuba in that book attributed to Tosa? As in Myochin or Shoami? I found a couple more examples out there with the same design but differs in rim and decorations. Seller attribution on first is Shoami and on second is Bizen Shoami. I am leaning towards Shoami as a safe bet. However, I wonder how the old NBTHK could pinpoint a location for this tsuba as it is not signed. The few tosa shoami examples I found do not share any characteristics to this one. And if they did think it was Shoami, I would think they would put Shoami as the attribition not Tosa. Puzzling.

Christian - No, I have not seen that article. Is it on the web somewhere? Is it the 3D modeling aspect (seen in tree trunk) of it, that rules it out for Myochin? Because all the Tosa Myochin I have seen are flat and lack the 3D effect. Thanks

Christian - I was not aware about this issue with older papers. Thank you, I will definately keep that in mind. John - I will look into that Shoami / Tosa school, I did not realize there was such a school. I am attaching a better picture that might help clarify the correct school. If anyone wants to throw in an opinion based on the pics, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Attached is a tsuba with NBTHK attribution of Tosa. It is done in Akasaka style. Does this mean it is a Tosa Myochin tsuba? I would have expected to see the symbol for Myochin on the paper not just Tosa. Or is this how they normal do it since Tosa is a sub-school of Myochin (at least that is my understanding). Also, the metal looks rather newish to my eyes, would you say this is a late Edo piece?

Seller had Higo in description but I am not that convinced. Maybe Shoami or possible Akasaka? Along with a couple pics of the tsuba in question, I am attaching a couple similar themed Higos from MFA. Dimensions 8.2 x 8.1 cm and .6 cm thick

I look forward to seeing them as well. As for Tampa, you could always sell a couple more Tsuba from your collection

Yeah, the condition and surface treatment was a bit iffy. The 1st one sold for the buyout price and the 2nd one sold for less. I passed as I have my eye on a papered Akasaka at the moment.

Also, after reading up on Hoan, I wonder why that attribution? Seems a bit thick and lacking of acid etching. I would say Akasaka but cuts aren't sharp enough, ko or kyo shoami? Just not sure what traits led to Hoan though I think I read they liked the cherry blossom / raft theme.

When I plugged in those 2 symbols in a translator, I got "art state" so I assumed it had something to do with location.

Kyo shoami certainly fits based on what I read. Here is another one from same seller and a Higo from the boston mfa site (better version). Would we think this is kyo shoami as well?

Thanks,those first 2 symbols tripped me up!

Mariusz - Yes, seems a common motif among the Higo group and the seller made reference to Nishigaki in the description. Though translated Japanese is hard to understand. Pete - Do you mean it's literally been stepped on?

Just wondered if this piece is a Higo or just a reproduction/copy? Dimensions are round (82x82) and 4.5-5.0 thickness (translated description shows both so perhpas the mimi is thicker or narrower than the seppa dai_ Thanks!

Having difficulty identifying the school for this papered tsuba. Not sure if I am looking in the correct location for the kanji. In this case, the bottom right 4 symbols? Might be my mistake. Can anyone read the school attribution? And show me which symbols you read to do it. Thanks!

See attached.

Can someone translate? And a newbie question, why does the Kanji look so different than what I see on all other Tsubas. Is it a different style? Thanks!

After comparing it to several Higo and Akasaka versions having a similar motif, it was easy to see it did not belong. After ruling out those two schools and knowing that Shoami copied popular designs, it just makes a lot of sense. I agree with you guys. As for it being "dog's breakfast", it probably is when seen side by side next to the Higo/Akasaka. A second rate copy. Interestingly, I stumbled upon an Akasaka (seller's description) with a similar motif. Do you think this is much better? (I do, BTW but seems to need some TLC). Also, it has a signature or partial that reads Sadatoku Saku but I can't locate any info on this. Any ideas on this? Dimensions (72x70mm) Thanks!

I hit the books on this one and ruled out a couple schools and am leaning towards an attribution but I would like to hear what you guys think this guard might be. Dimensions : 6.7cm wide 7.1cm tall 5.5mm thick Thanks!

I returned it to the seller so it's all good. He had purchased it from the Yahoo Japan Auctions and was surprised to hear it was a cast replica. Would be interesting to see closeups of the other, I agree.