What period would you date this Wakizashi Handachi Koshirae?

[Nickupero]

Hi Gents, looks like a mid Meiji period Koshirae, what are your opinions on the age and type of metal work? It's a very interesting piece as the entire saya is covered with a thin sheet of metalwork. The seam near the Kojiri has a slight opening. The tsuba is extremely heavy but well detailed.

[Nickupero]

a few more....

[Nickupero]

This Image should help you get an idea of the saya's anatomy, you can see a small opening in the metalwork and the wood underneath showing.

[drbvac]

So its strips of brass like metal with pieces of shell between then in lacquer ? The Fuchi/Koshira almost look like they could have been some sort of Gunto fittings - especially the Koshirae ( without the hole )

[Kurikata]

Hi,

 

Tsuba looks very similar to Nara Tsuneshige Style (Mid 18th century)

[Nickupero]

Here are a few more pictures of the Fuchi/ Kashira, Fuchi is signed which can help shed some light. My translation isn't very quick so any quickshooters are welcome to translate

 

Barry your right, looks to be many strips of metal involved.

 

Bruno does definitely have some similarities.

[Gunome]

Hello,

 

What about : Higo (kane ?) X ju Hayashi X fusa ?

 

(Sorry for missing part of the translation)

[John A Stuart]

Can't find this artist if I am reading it right. 肥後?府住林資房 Higo something ju Hayashi Sukefusa. John

[Gunome]

Can't find this artist if I am reading it right. 肥後?府住林資房 Higo something ju Hayashi Sukefusa. John

something = Yufu 熊府 ?

[John A Stuart]

I had thought it might be 熊, but wasn't sure. 熊府 Or Kumasaki hu (suburb). There is a Kumasaki in Oita prefecture, not too far from Kumamoto or it could be a form for Kumamoto in old Higo province. John

[Kai-Gunto]

So its strips of brass like metal with pieces of shell between then in lacquer ? The Fuchi/Koshira almost look like they could have been some sort of Gunto fittings - especially the Koshirae ( without the hole )

Its a kabutogana and the gunto is based on the tachi koshirae (fittings).

[John A Stuart]

I have found out that there are other Higo tsuba that have 熊府 and it is Kuma and hu that become Kumafu. Higo no Kumafu ju... John