A tanto tsuba kantei

[Higo-san]

Hi Grey,

 

The tsuba might be bad, but trust me in this point - the sekigane are real inlaid sekigane and if I may add: IMO the inlay is done in a rather nice and accurate way.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Chris,

In the bottom picture the seki gane doesn't seem to be wrapped inside the ana. If the seki gane are soft metal and not just paint there should be a difference in how tightly a magnet sticks: tight to the tsuba but not to the seki gane. Can you try this experiment?

Grey

[Soshin]

On the photos this surface - if not produced by a combination of stippling and a chemical treatment or long term corrosion - looks very much like cast in a sand mold.

 

The MEI could have been done with a dull or rounded chisel, but I don't know if this was a usual technique.

 

Hi Jean,

 

I agree the surface of the tsuba and the signature looks strange to me as well and the surface is not tsuchimei-ji but ishime-ji maybe. Keep in mind I only have experience with iron tsuba (Umetada, Owari Province, Katchushi, and Tosho) I know next to nothing about Tanaka school.

 

P.S. Purchase my first non menuki kinko tosogu last week. I am sure to receive negative feedback about it when or if I post photos of it.

[Higo-san]

Hi Grey,

 

the magnet sticked to the metal but fell off when attached to the sekigane.

[Grey Doffin]

I stand corrected. The mei still looks cast to me.

Grey

[raiden]

I have had this maker before, he did sign very small, and the tsuba looks like that of the Toryusai school in my opinion. The subject of a pot would require such a ji to appear like stone. The workmanship while not of top quality, is not that bad. It is worthy of more study in and and a possible trip to Jpan for shinsa. But that is only my 2 cents worth without seeing it in hand, and I have a few Kiyotoshi....I would like to see this in San Francisco to confirm.It does however need some traditional teirei!

Mike