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Dear NMB members I believe this to be an Akasaka school tsuba but deciphering the design is proving a challenge! It looks like either a tree stump or a rock, with a hammer lying on top? It may at one point have had a gold finish to the hammer head, as you can faintly see a trace of this on the first image. Any help appreciated, tsuba dimensions below: Height - 71.2mm Width - 67.8 Mimi - 6.2mm Many thanks Colin

Ray, Thank you????. Thank you to all who have responded. Colin

Thanks Ford. Any pointer to what generation? Colin

Hi Joop, Thank you for replying. Wow! Yes I see all that now. I'll do some research into possible meanings and post if I find anything. Thanks again. Colin

Hi Johnl, Thanks for the reply. My reason for thinking Kyo-sukashi was based on an initial google search which throw up some similar looking tsuba. Also reading the general descriptions of Akasaka tsuba and Kyo-sukashi in Tososu Classroom V1, there seemed to be more of an alignment with Kyo-sukashi than Akasaka, lack of asymmetrical hitsu (I know not always the case). The thin sukashi elements made me think Kyo as well. Quite new to collecting tosogu so would welcome your thoughts on the Akasaka attribution? Many thanks again Colin

Hi, Second sukashi tsuba. This one I’m taking a stab at 4th generation Akasaka! My assumption is based on the size, thickness, asymmetrical hitsu-ana and the kaku-ko-niku mimi? The design if I’m reading it correctly is of karigana, clouds and some form of agricultural implement, although these are not the same design, so may well be something else? Does anyone know the meaning behind this? Looks like it has been modified for use on a shin-gunto, hence the small cut out for the spring clip to pass through. Having tried it with a couple of mine it is a bit tight. Has a nice sekigane and cut out for another. Tsuba dimensions: Height 70mm Width 68mm Mimi thk 5.8mm Seppa dai 6mm Thanks Colin

Hi, A couple of sukashi tsuba, one to follow on a separate post, looking for your guidance following my initial thoughts. This one I’m thinking Kyo-sukashi, with image of the Musashi plain. Grass with dew drops and a horse bit (kutsawa). Needs a little work on the patination. Tsuba dimensions: Height 69.5mm Width 69mm Mimi thk 5mm Seppa dai 5mm If Kyo-sukashi what period? Thanks Colin

All Thank you for the responses to my question. A repair or even cut out of a fault seems the logical answer. If I can be bold and say that it's shinchu rather than sentoku, I can't see any of the crystalline structure Ford mentions. Many thanks again. Colin

I've had this tsuba for a short time and have read previous posts on this particular style giving good information. My question on this one is the unusual small cut-out on the lower jaw of the dragon and what the purpose of this may have been? The cut-out is nicely formed with a square base, approx. 1.5mm x 1.5mm. Tsuba dimensions: Height 71.5mm Width 61mm Mimi 4.5mm - 6mm Some images below. Thanks Colin

Thanks Ken. Read a description of fukabori and thought maybe, but no images of examples. I'll look at takibori.

I've had this tsuba for over 20 years and thought it worth a post to the group. Details below: 5.9 x 5.35 x 0.4cm, tetsu, nagamaru-gata, maru-mimi, fukabori? carving of clouds, with dragon through. The nakago ana (2.6 x 0.8cm) has an unusual shape, shinogi zukuri one side and hira zukuri the other, possibly for a katakiriha zukuri tanto? There a couple of very similar tsuba in the Henry Walters collection, at the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, these are both in brass and not signed like this one, standard nakago ana. Any ideas of school? Mino? I'm assuming late Edo period?

PM sent no. 20

Thanks John.

Is there a relationship with Nara Toshinaga and this Kofu Toshinaga? If anyone has a similar signature in their databases it would be good too see please. Thanks Colin

All, Thank you very much for your assistance. Toshinaga it is, further research now.

Recently picked up this Kofu tsuba of snowflakes. I can get most of the signature: Kofu ju I Iye (Seito) Toshi.... The last character I'm struggling with, could be Shige? I came a cross a Toshishige in a Bonhams sale but unfortunately no picture. Looks like it has been mounted at some point, dimensions and pictures (sorry only one side ran out of file space) as follows: 73mm x 68.5mm x 5mm IMG_20190727_170806.pdf Any help appreciated. Colin

Thanks Grey will look at these. Colin

Christian, Thank you very much for your comments. I don't have many reference books as yet, just starting out on the journey of discovery with fittings! Any recommendations for the beginner? I will look at the other schools as you suggest. Thanks again Colin

Hi Recently picked this Tsuba up and wondered if the work of Umetada? The wisteria pattern could be related to the Kuroda clan. Gold and silver dew drops, some missing,on wisteria. Tsuba dimensions 6.9cm X 6.6cm X 0.4cm. Hopefully the images below will help. Any ideas on age or school would be welcome. Thanks Colin

Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction with this translation. The image is of Li Bai admiring the waterfall, a popular carving, it's not the 'normal' Soten design, would this tsuba be an early piece by Mogarashi or possibly a student ?

Thanks Steve, will do some further research now.

Some clearer pictures of signature.

Hi, This is my first post, been meaning to join for years! I'm struggling to translate this mei, any help would be very welcome? Have some doubts about authenticity of tsuba as well, but would welcome some expert advice please. Many thanks Colin