tsuba with grasses

[Ford Hallam]

greetings all,

 

any thoughts on this tsuba? its mokume iron/steel with a design of grasses inlaid in brass.

 

thanks, Ford

[Henry Wilson]

Is that a brass in lay on the rim? The shape makes me think of an egg.

[Ford Hallam]

Hi Henry,

 

the rim is plain iron/steel. No fukurin. Perhaps this egg (shape) is rotten, ho-one cares to comment on it.

 

regards, Ford

[Bungo]

contemporary work ?

 

milt the ronin

[Henry Wilson]

To me it looks old but the style (especially the convexed shape ie egg like....) makes me think it is new.

 

Has Ford been busy?

[Rich T]

This is one of your pieces Ford ?

 

I was waiting to let others have a go before putting forward my thought's.

 

cheers

 

Rich

[Ford Hallam]

O.K. you got me :D , just keeping you on your toes .

 

Genuine Ford Hallam. circa 1993.Penzance School, Cornwall, England. Mokume steel made by Doc Price of Plymouth, England

 

Next time I'll get someone else to post on my behalf so you'll there will be no hint of my hand.

 

I'm intrigued as to why the irregularity of the tsuba's shape made you feel it was modern though. Have a study of some of Mitsuoki Otsuki's work, although I've always felt he was ahead of his time anyway.

 

thanks and regards, Ford

[myochin]

Hello Ford,

 

I have the impression that this could be a modern piece (maybe of your own conception ??).

What is nagging me is the nakago-ana: I have the definate feeling that this tsuba has never been mounted. Also, everything around the nakago-ana seems too new (has a polished-off feeling), definately no sign of there ever been any sekigane.

This is a very nice tsuba, simply in design. The shape reminds me of the very early tsuba (kofun type - forgotten the exact name....).

 

Paul.

[myochin]

Seems like I got in just a little too late ...

 

Paul.

[Ford Hallam]

Hi Paul,

 

thanks for taking the time to study the tsuba, you make some very good points. This has never been mounted, as you noted, I've never "tried" to make a piece of mine look old or antique, that's a whole other game . You'll also note that I made this 14 years ago, in relative isolation and before the internet. Trying to "get it" right at that time, without any feedback, was tricky.

 

cheers, Ford

[Brian]

Hi Ford,

 

Yes, I think you did yourself in with that last one :D Everyone is hesitant to post an opinion about any "antique" tsuba you post, to only find out later it is a modern creation. I think all credit goes to you for even casting doubt. It is a great looking tsuba. The plate looks very nicely done. The grass struck me as looking a bit like we Westerners imagine it, with the 3 dimensional folding and twist. The shape has been pointed out, but I think it is very attractive overall. Do you still own this one, or is it in someone's collection now?

 

Brian

[Ford Hallam]

Hi Brian,

 

I reckon you're right, perhaps I ought to have an alias . I do still have this one, it is actually one of my babies from my "early" days. The brass has developed a very convincing patina now and although these photos don't show it well the iron has a really deep, varied and wet look to it. The images I posted were from an exhibition held at the Birmingham museum in the UK about 10 years ago.

 

regards, Ford

[myochin]

Ford,

 

Please let me know if there was a catalogue published for your exhibition at the Birmingham museum. I would be interested to see more of your work.

 

Thanks,

Paul.

 

PS: I had the chance to visit the storeroom at the Birmingham Museum a few years back to see their tsuba collection. Contacted the curator and she was very happy to oblige. A great experience !

[Rich T]

Hi Ford, let me firstly say I always admire your handy work. I think your work is very attractive.

 

Firstly, I think it was Henry that pointed out the shape, not me, it had not crossed my mind that the shape would relate to age. It is interesting as the "egg shape" has been around since the Heian period and earlier in the form of Hôju tsuba. I also have a Sadahiro tsuba described in it's kanteisho as such.

 

For me, the colour of the zogan was my first port of call. There is something about the shade and the depth of colour in Brass and copper that is several hundred years old. I saw a Onin tsuba in Japan last year that was being restored. It had been curing for 4 years and was about 1/5 the way there I think.

 

Also, the iron has a distinct look to in in newer pieces. Old iron just looks old. I cannot give you any scientific evidence as to why, just that it does. There are several tsuba around for sale in Japan at the moment by Nariki Kazunari and these all have a distinct look to them. Whilst they are well made and classic designs, commanding prices between 1 - 2 K, they still have a modern look to them. It may be the photograhy though.

 

Nariki Kazunari was recently awarded the NBTHK Chairmans award. I wonder if it is the same maker, or a son ?.

 

http://www.touken.or.jp/english/sword_forging_competition_2006.html

 

As I said at the start of this thread. nice work Ford.

 

Cheers

 

Rich

[Ford Hallam]

Hi Rich,

 

thanks, I always appreciate your thoughts. My "question" wasn't specifically directed at you, although I did post immediately after you so I can see why you may have felt it was, sorry. I was just trying to tease out a more considered appraisal. of form.

 

You are of course absolutely correct about the "look" of old iron that is very old, it's an area of serious work, akin to the sort of thing swordsmiths are after with recreating the feel of Kamakura period steel. I have a few ideas I'm working on....

 

hello there Paul,

 

I'm afraid there was no catalogue produced but I will probably launch my own site, finally!, in the next couple of weeks. I'll have a number of pieces illustrated in the gallery. I'll let you know when it's live.

 

regards to all, Ford

[Bungo]

for me............it's the " treatment " of the grass that lend me to thinks it's contemporary.

 

milt the ronin