raven2 Posted November 8, 2013 Report Posted November 8, 2013 Hi everyone, I have a big birthday coming up in about 1 1/2 months and thought I would treat myself to a birthday/Christmas present so I just added this Choshu tsuba to my collection. To answer your questions first, yes I got it from Grey in his make me an offer sale. I am starting to research this piece and would like comments and thoughts on age. The measurements of the tsuba are 7.2 cm wide by 7.0 cm high. The thickness at the rim and at the seppa-dai is 6.0 mm. The signature is Hagi no Ju Kawaji Saku. and Grey says it is Kawaji #02969.0 in the Haynes Index. To my eye the carving is done very well. The patina is a nice dark chocolate. I do think I am seeing some active rust in the plant in the upper right of picture 3. If this is true, what would be the best way to stop it? Quote
Dr Fox Posted November 8, 2013 Report Posted November 8, 2013 Hey Ron I should have bought this look a Hoho bird, now I know I will have to get one for my sword. Raven, that is very nice like it lots. Cheers Denis. Quote
John A Stuart Posted November 9, 2013 Report Posted November 9, 2013 Resurrection of the Toyotomi clan? Phoenix, rebirth; kiri, Toyotomi reference, although not a true goshichi no kiri mon. John Quote
raven2 Posted November 9, 2013 Author Report Posted November 9, 2013 Thanks for the thoughts, John. The ideas are very interesting. Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted November 9, 2013 Report Posted November 9, 2013 A tsuba as political statement. That is indeed an interesting line of thought. I wonder if there are other examples. KM Quote
Thierry BERNARD Posted November 9, 2013 Report Posted November 9, 2013 one of mine with the same design! Quote
raven2 Posted November 9, 2013 Author Report Posted November 9, 2013 Any ideas on age? I am thinking early to mid Edo. Quote
ROKUJURO Posted November 9, 2013 Report Posted November 9, 2013 Fred, I like this TSUBA, it is really a nice one! I wished I had birthday, too! As to the active rust, I would remove that in a traditional way: a fine bamboo or horn tool and the toothbrush of your girlfriend. As it is for Chrismas too, it represents probably a HOHOHO bird :D Quote
raven2 Posted November 9, 2013 Author Report Posted November 9, 2013 Thanks for the comments Jean. Actually Christmas is my birthday. I thought as much with the rust. I have a nice piece of ivory that I will use on it. Quote
chris covington Posted November 9, 2013 Report Posted November 9, 2013 I'm not so sure about the Toyotomi connection. I think the phoenix and paulownia tree are closely associated with each other because of the idea of rebirth. Paulownia trees when they are young are often cut down to a stump (I guess like roses?). For whatever reason this makes them grow even faster and larger. Even large adult trees that have been harvested will often start growing again very quickly. This makes them great trees for reforestation and for crop harvest. The wood is becoming popular as a body wood for bass guitars often with a veneer of more exotic wood on top. As for the OP I don't know much but I know what I like and I think this is a very lovely tsuba, thank you for sharing and happy birthday! Quote
Soshin Posted November 9, 2013 Report Posted November 9, 2013 Hi Fred D., Very nice Choshu tsuba. Thanks for sharing. P.S. Grey D. does run some fine deals on his website. Quote
raven2 Posted November 9, 2013 Author Report Posted November 9, 2013 Thanks Dave, I really feel the carving is exceptional on this one plus I love the subject. Grey has been great to work with as always although this is the first one I have gotten from him over the internet. All of my others have been at shows. Quote
Soshin Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 The signature is Hagi no Ju Kawaji Saku. and Grey says it is Kawaji #02969.0 in the Haynes Index. To my eye the carving is done very well. The patina is a nice dark chocolate. Hi Fred D., Do you have Haynes Index? If so I would look up the ID listed by Grey D. as Haynes would often have some dates listed with the entry sometimes from dated examples of the artist's work. In my opinion based upon the style of the design I would estimate middle to late Edo Period circa 1670 - 1864. During this time the Choshu school with it's many subschools were very popular. Quote
raven2 Posted November 10, 2013 Author Report Posted November 10, 2013 Hi Fred D., Do you have Haynes Index? If so I would look up the ID listed by Grey D. as Haynes would often have some dates listed with the entry sometimes from dated examples of the artist's work. In my opinion based upon the style of the design I would estimate middle to late Edo Period circa 1670 - 1864. During this time the Choshu school with it's many subschools were very popular. Hi Dave, Unfortunately, I don't have it, otherwise, I would have looked it up. I am very grateful to Thierry for listing it here . Actually my real gut feeling has been mid Edo ever since I saw it so I guess we are on the same page. Quote
Brian Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 Popular theme. Here's mine, also Choshu. Brian Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 It is very interesting to see that this theme apparently was so popular that it was often made. Makes you rethink the meaning of these tsuba. Nice example brian ! KM Quote
raven2 Posted November 10, 2013 Author Report Posted November 10, 2013 Very nice Brian. They are quite similar. Quote
Kurikata Posted November 30, 2013 Report Posted November 30, 2013 Hi everybody, I have also one with the same Phoenix topic, but no idea about the school. Shoami ? Can someone give clues ? Thank you 1 Quote
Brian Posted November 30, 2013 Report Posted November 30, 2013 Very nice Bruno! That sukashi tail is striking, as is the plaiting. Not sure what school (Late Edo?) but it's very attractive. We have seen some lovely tsuba lately. Brian Quote
raven2 Posted November 30, 2013 Author Report Posted November 30, 2013 I agree with you Brian. Just some really great tsuba. The sukashi in this one is really special. :D Quote
Brian Posted December 1, 2013 Report Posted December 1, 2013 Bruno, Would you be willing to upload some bigger pics of this one for us to enjoy? Brian Quote
Kurikata Posted December 1, 2013 Report Posted December 1, 2013 Of course, but give me some days as it is currently in a safe. I'll post better pictures as son as i'll have it in hands. Quote
raven2 Posted December 1, 2013 Author Report Posted December 1, 2013 Thanks Bruno, That would be great. Quote
yogoro Posted December 1, 2013 Report Posted December 1, 2013 I also found the same theme, akasaka tsuba - I suppose . Quote
raven2 Posted December 1, 2013 Author Report Posted December 1, 2013 That would be my guess at first glance. Quote
Kurikata Posted March 14, 2015 Report Posted March 14, 2015 Finnally , my promisses after 16 months.... Closer pictures of my tsuba..... Cheers 1 Quote
Geraint Posted March 15, 2015 Report Posted March 15, 2015 Hi Bruno. That is a really interesting tsuba. From your images it appears to be a shinchu plate with the Hoo bird inset into it and a fukurin, also in iron. Is that right? Not something I have seen before. Thanks for sharing it with us. All the best. Quote
Kurikata Posted March 15, 2015 Report Posted March 15, 2015 it appears to be a shinchu plate with the Hoo bird inset into it and a fukurin, also in iron. Is that right? @ Geraint , it is absolutly true. The shinchu plate is incrustred into a large iron Mimi. This schinchu plate is cut itself to include a HoHo bird in iron. @Brian, Thank you for your so gentle comment. Cheers 1 Quote
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