FlorianB

Ed, as written in the "Mon"-book by Chappelear/Hawley You refer to about 7500 kamon were in existence and in this book only a smaller number are selected which represent the final form. On Your Tsuba not the mentioned “final form” but a more naturalistic view of this plant is depicted. IMHO this hints to an early version of this kamon still without the graphic simplicity of later ones but with more artistic licence. Researching one of my own Tsuba showing an unusual myoga-mon I found this in the depths of the internet: Probably an old shop-sign whith a slim variation of myoga. Although not Your gyoyo-kamon I’d like to share it to prove a larger variety in style. Florian

Following this discussion I’ve got the notion that the mixing of differnent stylistic devices becoming popular in the late Edo-period makes it impossible to pin down a special school. So take it as it is - a piece of real art work which show the high levelled quality of this unknown artisan concerning both artistic and technical skills. Florian

Thank You for clarification. In the future I will try to avoid to publish personal speculations. I just can refer to dates given in different sources. In how far these dates are reliable I can’t work out. Maybe those could be pure assumptions by sellers or collectors. Also it seems that the terms “shinchu” and “sentoku” are mixed up. Florian

I'm astonished that shinchu was invented not before 1600 because some brass ornamented Tsuba are dated back to Muromachi-period could be found. All of them elder Tsuba which has been overworked later? I wondered still in the past why brass was so highly esteemed, even today they are highly prized by Japanese collectors while western people often think it inferior. I don’t believe the shinchu production too laborious so I think the restrained lustre (in comparision to gold) fits perfectly to the Japanese sense of aestetics. Florian

If we assume, the tendrils should have been contain brass wire, a later Heinajo-style attribution is acceptable. We can only speculate, why this Tsuba shows the todays appearance, but with all due respect I would be careful to connect a decent quality with wabi-sabi aesthetic. There has been a discussion about this subject a time ago ( http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/26501-which-of-your-tsubas-best-embodies-the-wabi-sabi-aesthetic/?hl=wabi-sabi ) and a lot could be learned from this great thread about it. Florian

I think it’s a later work, which isn’t as elaborate executed as older ones. The kiku blossom on the back side is missing (the empty circle). Maybe the tendrils should have been filled with brass wire, too, but either all has gone or it was never completed. However the carved tendrils make a nice contrast to the filled areas so take it as a study piece. Florian

Chris, sorry, I misunderstood Your coloured lines, now I see Your point and of course You’re right. My idea referred to the design. Florian

Here’s another example of Ko-Katchushi, this one with Juyo attribution. Note that the ornaments are close to the nakago-ana and would be hidden partially by the tsuka, too. @ Chris: Isn’t an offset axis typical for elder tsuba following the idea of imperfection? Florian

Opinions differ, but definitively not Owari. Mr Haynes obviously refers to the later late Muromachi-period and the beginning of the Momoyama-period 1573 (1574 by other sources), the latter period well known for more flamboyant styled Tsuba. So I would take the named years as a classification into this era. Certainly this design has been invented about the mentioned years but has been also reproduced in later times, so a temporal attribution isn’t as simple. Seeing the mimi I agree with the Ko-Shoami attribution of the second one. Ko-Shoami-Tsuba show sometimes different sizes in the hitsu-ana, too. Concerning the first and the third one, with its cleverly done mokko-shape and the large size, which is more typical for Kyo-style but for Shoami, I stick to my Kyo-sukashi attribution although it could be early Edo-period by the pictures of the mimi. Because of the very exact geometric execution of the first one I think it's younger, about Genroku. But without examinig the original pieces my opinion is only speculation based on textbook knowledge. Florian

Grev, forget to ask: what about the mimi? Kaku, Ko-niku, maru? Could help to specify the origin. Florian

Henry, generally the seppa-dai mirrors the saya cross section but there are enough examples showing freely interpreted seppa-dai (even Tsuba without a seppa dai ). Here’s a picture of a Kyo-sukashi from Mr. Tsuruta’s Aoi-Museum-site (if I remember correctly) in which the geometric motif determines the form of the seppa-dai: So at least there are less rules but mere customs so every smith could put his his own ideas into a Tsuba. Florian

Right, but as always there are exceptions from the rule. In some cases depending on the design other seppa-dai-forms were produced (like those above). Florian

I’ve seen examples of this design papered to Kyo-sukashi, probably Genroku to late Edo-period when design and rim became bolder executed. There are similar Akasaka-pieces, too, often easy to recognize by a smaller kogai-hitsu-ana. Concerning the sizes and the overall appearance I suppose #1 and #3 to be Kyo-sukashi-style, about mid Edo period, #2 Akasaka-style from the same time. However - just a cautious guess. Florian

I persume it’s Aizu-Shoami. Interesting theme and well executed. I agree with Mauro and Brian not to remove the mei. A gimei isn’t nice but so what. In my opinion much more worse is the somewhat strangely modified nakago-ana. But I don’t know if it is a reason to reject a paper... At least a Hozon-paper certifies the Japanese origin and a certain artistic value. You could see that by Yourself - so why needing a paper? Florian

Considering again I tend to describe these forms as two insects, probably butterflies looked upon sideways. Butterflies could be found on sukashi Tsuba frequently, often very simplyfied so it's hard to recognize the motif. Florian

Hello, my first impression was a kanmuri or court cap like this: Just an idea, but I can't sort out the both circles. Florian

OK, back to the topic: no Akasaka rim indeed. Edo-Period piece. Any measurements? Florian

I agree with Robert it could be Akasaka style from a later generation. Here’s a picture of an other one with similar design: A closer shot of the rim and/or the inner sides could clarify it. Florian

I was electricified - a juyo for THIS price: Alas, just a mistake by Mr. Tsuruta Florian

#1: Yes, now I've recognized the bird. Chidori and waves as mentioned is a traditional motif. Any signs of layer technique used on this? #3: Here's the Ono-piece for comparision I had in mind: However, gold nunome wasn't used by Ono smiths. Certainly I agree with David that Shoami is an option, too. At least I don't think the inscription is a signature made by the maker (even for stylized chinese letters crudly done) but an aesthetic addition. Florian

Hello Fred, Tsuba #1: later Akasaka Style (sorry, can’t see any birds - maybe waves…?) Tsuba #2: Bushu or Choshu style Tsuba #3: reminds me of an Ono design, maybe gilded later, signature (if it is one) NAO XXX looks strange Just a quick guess, Florian

I do not doubt the reliability of auction houses it in general (OK, here was the art fraud about alleged paintings of the “Collection Jäger” at Lempertz several years ago... ), but no auction house guarantees the correctness of description. Furthermore we’re talking about auctions out of the 60ies when knowledge and textbooks where far more limited. And a additional letter with a statement is IMO also no expertise. Florian

No means to get rude. After all I admitted it’s interesting, so take it for a curiosity and enjoy it further. Florian

Well, “...of Japanese origin and Edo period...” is just supposition, not evidence. Even if I have no idea this item was used for, but I stick to it it’s not Japanese. If You search for knowledge - and that’s why this forum exists - please accept truth although sometimes painful. It is an interesting piece, however, but try to research in other directions. Florian

IMHO I don't think it's Japanese at all, maybe chinese origin? Looks like a paper knife to me... Florian