kaigunair Posted August 30, 2013 Report Posted August 30, 2013 Another recent pick up, again I was drawn to the design which has some sentimental value for me - twin butterflies. Initially I had shown this to a friend many months ago but after he passed on it, I finally decided to pick it up. I wasn't in any hurry since it was iron and not kinko :D . I really am not sure where to begin with iron tsubas, but my strategy was to peruse books, websites and pictures for similar styles and designs. Not a masterpiece by a long shot, but hoping its a honest piece. dimensions are 77.2 x 73.9mm and 5.0mm thick. My guesses are 1) kaga myochin (based on rounded/pedal rim similar to http://www.shibuiswords.com/haynesTsu3.htm) or 2) ko-umetada or possibly (iron color and similar carving to http://www.shibuiswords.com/haynesTsu5.htm) 3) sado (from a picture in the translated "Tsuba an Asthetic Study") Period: Mid-late edo. (1700s-1800s) my observations of the possible kanei points: -color is more brownish/chocolate than pictures. -carving of the butterflies is more deeper in hand than picture. -horizonal marks around nakago ana -fairly thick so not early -little concerned that the rust/raise oxidation appears to be under the patina? -patina in the wings/antenna area looks ok, but the nakago ana seems alittle less undistrubed - maybe due to movement on/off a nakago? Am I even close? Thanks in advance. Quote
Kurikata Posted August 31, 2013 Report Posted August 31, 2013 Hi, I purshased some years ago a Tsuba similar to yours signed Yamashiro Ju Shugeyoshi . Might be gimei....But nevertheless I would guess Umetada school. Bruno P. Quote
kaigunair Posted August 31, 2013 Author Report Posted August 31, 2013 Thanks Bruno! Umetada it is. Much appreciated. Quote
Soshin Posted August 31, 2013 Report Posted August 31, 2013 -little concerned that the rust/raise oxidation appears to be under the patina? -patina in the wings/antenna area looks ok, but the nakago ana seems alittle less undistrubed - maybe due to movement on/off a nakago? Am I even close? Thanks in advance. Hi Junichi, No rust can't get under the patina unless you are talking about sever damage such as rust pits to the surface caused by saltwater or acidic rain, which I don't see on your tsuba. It can get under lacquer and other surface treatments such a ibota wax. I have noticed that this will happen to modern fakes that that have been artificially aged but this is due to the fact that a correct patina was not applied to the surface of the tsuba in the first place. The second observation is very common and often seen on iron tsuba that have been mounted for long periods of time. Hope you find this information helpful. Quote
kaigunair Posted September 1, 2013 Author Report Posted September 1, 2013 Thanks David. I'll bring it to the next meeting to see if the corrosion I'm seeing is due to repatination or just normal or indicative of a modern fake. I hope of course it's something natural and perhaps just an effect of a ren wax or ibota coating. But I guess I just assume the worse until informed by more knowledge minds. Quote
Kurikata Posted September 1, 2013 Report Posted September 1, 2013 Junichi, another clue it might be Umetada with a similar Tsuba sold by Bonhams in 2012 (USD 1250 with premium) : http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19696/lot/2299/ Best regards Bruno P. Quote
kaigunair Posted September 1, 2013 Author Report Posted September 1, 2013 Thanks again Bruno! The Christie's example has a metal color similar to mine. A slighty different rendition also, but definitely indicates that umetada looks correct. I wonder if ther was possibly a series where the lower butterfly slowly comes into the scene. The Christie's the lower cho is only showing anntenna, ours has two full touching antenna, would be pretty neat to find a partial/half body cho Tsuba. Very exciting indeed. But now I really hope mine wasn't a repro made when prices were heating up! Quote
Kurikata Posted October 12, 2014 Report Posted October 12, 2014 And one year later a twin tsuba of mine is appearing in the market !!!!! same signature, same size. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Edo-Japane ... 1053wt_900 Probably on fashion at that time.... Quote
mr botanical Posted October 21, 2014 Report Posted October 21, 2014 this is very close in style,came in on the newest study piece ignore the color, phones cam Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted October 21, 2014 Report Posted October 21, 2014 Looks like several variations of the Ikeda family mon KM Quote
mr botanical Posted October 21, 2014 Report Posted October 21, 2014 Think you may be right hank-jan, a fountain of knowledge you are friend Quote
Kurikata Posted October 22, 2014 Report Posted October 22, 2014 Thank you very much Henk-Jan. Indeed design of these tsuba is very similar to some Mon as: Quote
kaigunair Posted October 22, 2014 Author Report Posted October 22, 2014 This tsuba has gone to a friend whose family used an identical mon. FYI, he believes that his family traces its lineage an offshoot of the Taira clan, after they were defeated and scattered. FYIW... Quote
mr botanical Posted October 22, 2014 Report Posted October 22, 2014 This tsuba has gone to a friend whose family used an identical mon. FYI, he believes that his family traces its lineage an offshoot of the Taira clan, after they were defeated and scattered. FYIW... the guy this one came from, had mentioned "Taira" but I take things with a grain of salt these days and hadn't given this Tsuba much thought tell came across your thread Thanks for posting guys, gave me some info on a piece that may have otherwise been ignored :D Quote
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