Hazama Tsuba in Japan

[Curran]

Following a previous discussion of Hazama tsuba, one is up on Yahoo!Japan right now:

http://page6.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f121924384

 

It isn't even a particularly nice one (sort of boring and thin design, condition is *fair*), but as these things are very rare and desirable to a lot of collectors- this auction is worth watching. Closing price will probably be in the 60-70% range of what a dealer would charge. Unfortunately for us non-Japanese, agency charges of buying this would probably bring it closer to 85-90% of what a dealer would charge.

 

I had one like this years ago, unpapered and sold it for just under $2000.

I'm curious to see where this one goes, as I haven't seen one up for auction in years.

[Pete Klein]

Hey C -- I agree. Nice piece but not up there with the earlier classic examples. this one is probably going to hit your target projection.

 

PS: what is the name of the progenitor to the Hazama name?

[John A Stuart]

Not sure progenitor's name, but, Hazama from Omi no Kuni Kunitomo gun makers. John

[Pete Klein]

Yup - Kunitomo/Teiei/Sadashige. Relationship to Hazama is not clear from my references but work is in line.

[John A Stuart]

Maybe the teppo guys have a more clear indication. In the books 間, but there are large bore guns named as Hazamazutsu and uses 狭間 Have they adopted the name from these guns or is it an original family name of Hazama 間?

[Curran]

Depends who you ask, or who you believe.

 

Some versions: Original Hazama split----> Kunitomo Group one way & Hazama Group other way(Hazama group died off)

(#2) Hazama---> Kunitomo Group---> later 'Hazama 2.0' split off, more commercial

(#3) Kunitomo group w some simply signed Hazama ---> later Hazama splitoff.

 

I don't really know.

I have a long signature (something something) Kunitomo Teiei saku with TH papers and hakogaki Kanzan Sato owner, etc....

I prefer my 'Hazama' Hozon one with a minor forging flaw. The two are very different, and it is hard for me to believe the 'Hozon' one came after the Kunitomo Teiei saku. I'm probably going to put the Kunitomo Teiei into Bonhams this year, as I only want one from this school. Seem to by cycling more to ko-mino, ko-kinko, ko-goto, and Higo kinko nowadays

 

However, I've seen published a 'Naagaki' (3rd Kunitomo?) that was same design as my 'Hazama', but Juyo.

There is no way mine will ever make Juyo, with its small forging flaw- but I would like to compare it with that Juyo one to figure out which of the versions / theories I support.

 

Personal current opinion is to believe #2

The Hazama up for sale in Japan is one of what I feel is the Hazama 2.0 variety, though I have seen one or two worse.

I guestimate it pulls 2k to 2.5k. Depends on how many bidders just see 'Hazama' more than the tsuba.

[Pete Klein]

I guestimate it pulls 2k to 2.5k. Depends on how many bidders just see 'Hazama' more than the tsuba.

 

Well, the reality is that 95% of those bidders cannot even begin to understand what you just wrote in the post above, nor have the references to elucidate it. Unfortunate, but true.

 

"And THIS is why WE study".

 

Sister Maria Guadeloupe de la Gotta Pay...

[christianmalterre]

Non curat numerum lupus

 

Christian