Thoughts on a tsuba I have.

[templar44]

I have this tsuba that is part of the mounts for a Mino Kanetomo katana. I think it may have been cast. I think the signature is Nobuiye but I am unsure. I am not a fittings guy and have not really been bitten by the fittings bug yet. I am trying to remain focused on the blades for now. However I do admire them. I believe the tsuba is copper with some sort of chemical patina applied. My questions are:

1. Is this most likely a bad attempt to copy a good artisan or did he cast pieces as well.

2. I don't think the signature is good it looks cast as well. Am i wrong in this?

3. The sword was brought back from Japan by a british naval officer at the turn of the century. Would the tsuba's age reflect this time period.

 

Thanks for any assistance,

Tony Martin

[george trotter]

Tony,

The two hitsu look as though they have casting seams in them which were not filed and polished smooth. Just my amateur observation and I could well be mistaken.

[BMarkhasin]

Tony,

This is definately a cast tsuba.

Boris

[Brian]

I think this is the poster example of a cast tsuba :lol:

Wow....casting seam much?? I don't think that was made to deceive..since no attempt was made to hide the fact that it is a casting.

 

Brian

[christianmalterre]

An Nobuie

Wow!

 

Christian

[templar44]

Excellant. Thanks guys and I take it Nobuiye is fashionable in the fittings world. :D

 

Tony Martin

 

What's the price of copper per pound right now?

[Pete Klein]

Let's just say that if it were a genuine 'Nobuie' it would be worth, Oh, around $10,000.00 give or take a few.

[templar44]

I know I have those papers around here somewhere! Hmmmm!

 

Thanks,

Tony Martin