A CAST IRON SUKASHI TSUBA??

[Bazza]

Having read earlier threads on the (non?) possibility of cast iron tsuba I almost hesitate to present this example to the readers as at first glance it is somewhat inconsequential. However, there are a number of reasons why I thought it might be of interest:

 

- The metal has a rough surface that appears to be a combination of rust and sand-cast impressions

- The figures in the landscape at the bottom of the front view are “blobby” and not well defined.

- The tsuba has a ‘clunky’ feel to it.

 

The above features alone are not sufficient to bring it to the attention of members, but the following I think make it of more than passing interest despite its very poor condition:

- There is gold ‘onlay’ that appears to be metal and not lacquer, and with no sign of nunome grooves it is most likely mercury gilding (?).

- There is what appears to be a remnant black lacquer coating.

- Last but not least is a very well-fitted shibuichi fukurin, which alone drew my attention.

 

The tsuba is 70mm x 65mm x 5mm. Whilst being very fond of tsuba they are not at all my forté, but my interest was aroused by wondering if this is indeed a cast iron tsuba, why did someone fit a very nice fukurin to it??? Any opinions???

 

The sword is a WW2 Australian soldier’s souvenir and has been lent to me for appraisal. It is still in the same family and honoured for its wartime association. Apart from some dark staining the blade is in remarkably good condition. It has a faint, almost ‘scratchy’ katana mei that at present seems to read OSHU JU ? HIRO. The nagasa is 63.9 cm and the sugata with little sori suggests to me a Kanbun period sword. It has an old silver foil habaki that is still nicely tight in the saya.

 

The tsuka has nice matching shakudo fuchigashira and the menuki are iron shishi (separate thread later). The saya is of plain wood covered with leather. Compared to many of the badly damaged swords one sees this was indeed a pleasant surprise ‘out of the woodwork’ and has made for a very pleasant few hours contemplation.

 

Best regards,

BaZZa.

aka Barry Thomas

(Melbourne, Australia)