kiku tsuba and lobster kozuka

[Stephen]

recived the wak yesterday, what can you tell me about the tsuba? Lack of dai seppa? old ? New? repo?

[John A Stuart]

Not exactly the same but you can see the petal lines go through to the nakagoana with no defined seppadai. This of course is a soft metal San Diego tsuba for tanto. John

[Antti]

Would this be Saotome tsuba, or at least made in the style of Saotome school?

[raven2]

Interesting Stephen,

 

I don't think the lack of a seppa-dai is a problem. I have seen some pieces before without them. My guess is real, mid to late edo. Here is a very similar Aizu-Shoami.

 

http://www.cgfinearts.com/select_produc ... alleryID=2

[Brian]

Definitely not repro. It has some tosho qualities, but obviously it isn't. Think its a nice tsuba.

 

Brian

[Pete Klein]

No seppadai = no problem. Presence of seppazuri (wear to seppa area) is indicative of age. Most likely Saotome, early Edo. Look at relative height of the kogai hitsuana to the kozuka hitsuana -> higher. This is seen more on earlier tsuba.

[Rich S]

The radiating lines into the non-seppa dai is a common Saotome design. I have

several such in my meager collection. Perhaps a Saotome plate (they made them

for many other schools) with a Shoami sukashi? Just a thought.

 

Rich S

[Stephen]

Thank you one and all and esp lerning about the heigth of the kozuka hitsuana, very intersting.

that being said i think ill post the kozuka in same thread, know the hori on the blade is a form of Sono kurikara, but how does one view the kozuka, Lobster holding the banner? or is it on the end of a spear?

do we know the age or school, a few things hinky on the wak but its starting to grow on me.

[kaigunair]

I believe the lobster and grass decoration are symbols for New Years (or more generally for good luck or for a merry celebration).

 

Couldn't locate the official name of the type of decoration, but a modern day example:

[Mike]

Nice kiku tsuba, what's the width of the plate Stephen?

 

I have katana size kiku tsuba with no seppa dai as well, common to this design. Mine is also Saotome school. I think that the sukashi mon is later addition. The width of the plate is 2.5 mm

 

Mike

[Stephen]

Junichi, thanks i think you have something there,

Mike its about 2.5", yours looks much older and agree the blossom looks like shakudo was added much later.

[Stephen]

any more help on the kozuka? just run of the mill 1800s? blade looks older than that to my eyes.

[Stephen]

I understand like Grandma used to say if you dont have anything good to say dont say anything at all....LOL Thanks for the help on the tsuba.

[Brian]

Nothing to do with not having anything good to say. Just that kogatana are impossible to date since most are not shoshin...and the kozuka is a typical one..nice but mid to late Edo like most are. All perfectly acceptable items, but nothing bad (or exemplary) to say about them

 

Brian