Spartancrest

Darrel I have been talking to the Walters Art Museum for a short while, they have been very helpful with supplying images and information on a book I am about to release on their collection - specifically their tsuba collection. The person to contact is Laura Seitter lseitter@thewalters.org The museum sometimes takes a day to answer any enquiry but that is complicated by the time zone differences for me. Give it a try I am sure she will put you through to any relevant curator. Laura Seitter (she/her) Imaging and Rights Coordinator (410) 547-9000 ext. 245

Thanks Colin - I am of the same opinion, as the chisel used for the signatures is very much thicker on one than the other. There is a big difference in the quality of the 'worm eaten rim' and I would have thought the Wakizashi would have the more 'showy' display. The signatures also translate slightly differently - not what you would expect if they were made at the same time? [Signature and Place] 越前府住　廣次作; [Transliteration] Echizen fu jû/Hirotsugu saku; [Translation] Residing in Echizen (province)/made by Hirotsugu [Transcription] 越前府住　春田廣次; [Transliteration] Echizen fu jû/Haruta Hirotsugu; [Translation] Residing in Echizen (province)/Haruta Hirotsugu

I am doing some research on a "pair" of tsuba, but the way the mei has been cut strikes me as very odd in comparing the two. Both these guards are from the Walters Art Museum and are described as a pair - what opinions would you offer? The guard on the left is 77 mm and the one on the right 65 mm in Diam. Thanks in advance.

Richard, could the rim represent stylised clouds perhaps? At least it would fit in with the flying birds.

David, I think the thickened rim is just a design element framing the bamboo, it isn't carried through on the ura or the bottom of the guard as a Dote-mimi would be. Pretty sure it isn't 管耳 Kan-mimi - Thicker rounder raised rims. (Thicker and rounder than Dote-mimi )

Jean is KARAHANA OR KARABANA the right word you are looking for? "Chinese Flower" [most have five petals but as a kamon some have four.] Karabana (or karahana) design on Japanese printed fabric featuring mon heraldic crests Also seen as a squared off version. The actual flower “Four-petalled” leaves attached to the persimmon

David I just found what is missing from that patch at the bottom omote side of your guard - an inlay of a bird. Three of a kind must have been a popular design, likely others out there. No further along with who made it or when - sorry. http://ancientpoint.com/inf/13134-large_tsuba___bird__bamboo___mokko_style_tasteful_86mm_box.html Popular design indeed - if they like it enough to make cast copies! https://www.jauce.com/auction/b1040148320

A super rusty one makes five! https://www.jauce.com/auction/f1068140619

Okan - not so fresh [just a better image. ] Book - Serious Suriage Damage? [your idea] Damnedest Cut! or how about "Leave the bloody things alone!"

Luca, you would make a good detective! Colin, "Synchronicity" [it happens to me all the time. ] The double even has those "dimples"(?) on the semicircular side panels - no idea what they represent?

Or three? This one with inlay! https://www.jauce.com/auction/t1067947541 - Uniique NOT.

Well I found the original shape of that cherry branch one. There are some slight differences with the decoration so it is unlikely they are cast. Might make a "forced" daisho? https://www.jauce.com/auction/d1067356293 https://www.jauce.com/auction/h1056992179

I have seen many "everyday" objects with tsuba designs,- trivets, beltbuckles, coasters, cake molds/moulds and candlesticks most are made of course in Japan. These Zippo lighters are branded "Made in USA" It seems a strange subject for a firelighter. https://www.jauce.com/user/nudmr48674?search=tsuba https://jp.mercari.com/item/m64078098798 https://jp.mercari.com/item/m93002899452 No great shakes as far as design or execution but hey if a samurai needs a lighter who is going to say no? Who knew?

Kosuke-tagane [worm eaten] around the rim something a few smiths used including Nobuiye, Saotome or even Jingo amongst others. Not much help in narrowing it down. Reminds me a little of one of mine - maybe just the wide rim? Still no help as I can't put an attribution on mine!

Okan, I would say it comes from something original not too dissimilar to these perhaps?

Piers -

Just looking at the nakago-ana I would say modern cast fake. It is in with three other guards that also don't look correct- I like the description by the seller - " Sword accessories Items like sword guards." https://www.jauce.com/auction/m1067617040 The question still remains was it based on a "true" guard and did that guard originally have a rim?

I think it represents 'Fundo'- weights or as this link says "counterweights" https://www.aoijapan.net/tsuba-mumei-ko-shoami-fundocounterweight-patterns/ You will see the small weights on the edges linking the rim - also the inner design is similar to the kogai hitsu outline. The small quarterfoil shapes are seen here with 'flying geese' and they may also represent Karahana [Chinese flowers] Sparse symmetrical openwork of four voided quatrefoils joined by groups of karigane [EAX.10012] to form a lozenge-shaped device Hope this helps.

Late new entry- https://www.jauce.com/auction/d1067356293 They do show the side view of the 'stems' but the patina [or rust] hides any cut marks. I strongly believe this guard was not made without a rim, it is just too jagged.

Jason!

Maybe the last guy drowned!

Beware of the "Blue-Bat of Unhappiness" he can really crap on your roof!

Mauro - do you think it could symbolize blood? Or a clan colour?

The lady is the Aoi, screened from prying eyes.The whip is the man, strength and dominance.

Hi David I am trying to get a much more interesting book out before Christmas, the complete collection of tsuba in the Walters Art Museum - about 800 pages in two volumes, in my opinion they have a better collection than the Metropolitan. I have changed my style a little and where possible I have added associated items from the mounted examples such as F/K, tsuka kozuka and kogai with a few umabari thrown in. In other spots I have added legends or woodblock prints dealing with the subject matter on the tsuba. I must say the Walters Museum has been very helpful and has supplied several "hard to get" images not found in their on-line collection. You might find the Met book a bit disapointing because of the print quality, the glossy paper option would have been very expensive costing around $200 which I thought was excessive so it is only available in 'economy colour' to keep the price within reach. You can always contact me with a personal message, I very likely can get any of the books sent much cheaper than the book dealers. Regards.