New Member Tsuba Help Please

[randomo250]

Hello Everyone,

I'm a new member to the site and am looking forward to getting to know everyone. I have been interested in Japanese swords and fittings since I inherited a Japanese katana from my father. I am looking at getting a new saya and handle made but I was wondering if the tsuba I currently have for the sword is real. Any help would be greatly appreciated. My current knowledge on Japanese swords and fittings is limited but I hope to learn more from interactions on this forum.

Thank you,

Random

[yogoro]

look like late edo poor quality sukashi tsuba ,signed Nobuie

[randomo250]

Thank you Mikolaj for the quick reply and information.

Random

[Brian]

I don't think it is terrible quality. Average yes...but there are a lot worse out there. It's real (although the signature isn't of THE Nobuiye of course) and the patina has suffered a bit. Late Edo average I would say.

 

Brian

[Jean]

I have seen a lot worse Random

[randomo250]

Thank you everyone for the replies.

I am only asking because I would like to get my sword remounted and I was wondering if this tsuba, which was on the blade, would be appropriate for the sword? I'm sure it has changed fittings several times over the years and the sword is from the Yamato province around 1500. Not sure of the smith since the signature has been cut off so I would need to send it in to get papers done to hopefully get it associated with a smith.

Thanks again,

Random

[Ron STL]

The tsuba certainly doesn't look poor quality to me. It very much resembles a large Nobuiye that is owned locally. It is boxed and has the owner's hakogaki calling it Myochin Nobuiye. The surface of this local tsuba is definitely more...has more "luster" to it, let's say...but I wonder if your tsuba, Random, might fall into this late Myochin school of craftsmen. I suspect it is rather thin and large? It would look fine on your sword or kept in a box for appreciation.

Ron STL