Late Edo tsuba Bushu Ito signed Masatomo

[chris covington]

Hello all,

 

I've always liked the eggplant theme. It is one of the three lucky treasures of the new year (along with Mt. Fuji and a hawk) and as I understand it a favorite of the Tokugawa. It is what I think is a Bushu Ito school tsuba from the later part of the Edo era. It appears to be signed Masatomo 正友 (thanks to John Stuart over on another forum for the help with the mei). I'm sorry for the poor photographs I take. I'm a better swordsman than I am photographer :lol: I'm open to any comments, thoughts, opinions, or criticisms.

 

 

The measurements are 7.1cm X 7.3cm X 4.3mm.

 

Thank you for taking the time to look.

 

Chris

[docliss]

Thank you, Chris, for posting images of your Bushū tsuba by Masatomo. It might be interesting to compare this with a similar, though rather more sophisticated Bushū tsuba that is listed on the tsuba-no-bi website.

 

http://tsuba-no-bi.com/tsuba/detail/T00081/52/

 

This tsuba, of a similar period, is inscribed Bushū (no)ju Masakata, and has a shakudō insert in one of its openwork eggplant images.

 

John L.

[chris covington]

John,

 

Thank you for the reply. I have seen the other tsuba you linked. It is a much nicer example from the Bushu group isn't it? It is clearly superior workmanship. I have a feeling Mr. Masakata was a bit more skilled than Mr. Masatomo huh?

 

Cheers!

Chris