Was this type of workmanship common to a particular group?

[Nickupero]

Hi gents, this is aimed to the Tosogu experts and whoever else would like to join in. I have this Tsuba which appears to be from late Edo period with some interesting workmanship. It has vines growing from plant below and what is interesting is that they really are winding three dimensionally around the fence, I don't recall seeing this before, is it something rare? What would we call it.

Sorry if the pictures are not the best as i snapped them quickly. I also attached a picture of the Kojiri from the set and its for those who like this sort of thing.

[kaigunair]

Definitely a neat "twist" on the theme!

 

Seems like they did get pretty creative in the end. Thanks for sharing it!

[Gabriel L]

OMG that kojiri

 

And the tsuba is delightful… sorry I can't help with your question (as usual)!

[Thierry BERNARD]

few weeks ago I sold this one!

[Gunome]

The tsuba has a very nice inlay workmanship and higo kojiri in very attractive.

thanks for sharing.

 

despite I already saw this kind of tsuba, see pic bellow, I have no idea of the school of this tsuba, neither Thierry's one.

[Nickupero]

Thanks guys for the comments!!! much nicer in hand.

Thank you Sebastien & Thierry for the examples, can you confirm if the vines are made of iron or copper? Both look iron to me, I imagine the iron is difficult to manipulate since it doesn't have the same flexibility like the copper does. Also it appears like the iron "vines" were made separately and then placed / welded into position, whereas the copper ones my guess were weaved as the maker progressed. Might be wrong there.

[Gunome]

Hello Nick,

 

I confirm you the tsuba I posted is only made iron and has no copper inlay.

I also guess the iron "vines" were made separately and then welded into position, but as this tsuba is not mine, I cannot check and confirm you the technique used.

Here is a close up of the vine. not sure if it help (?).

[Guido]

Until the end of the 19'th century, the only welding process was forge welding - highly unlikely in these cases. And knowing the dislike of traditional Japanese craftsmen to cut corners, the vines were probably carved out from the solid plate. If not that, then maybe the ends were inlet.

[TosoguCz]

The steel tendrills were inlayed.

[Guido]

The steel tendrills were inlayed.

And your authoritative statement is based on ...? Don't get me wrong, but we all would benefit from an explanation that's a little more detailed.

[Lee Bray]

Not to answer for Roman, but the inlays can be seen in a few places on the tsuba.

 

[Bazza]

I do believe the slots where the vines are inlaid can be seen where the tendrils intersect the body of the tsuba. That's how it appears to me.

 

Regards,

BaZZa.

[Kurikata]

Hello guys,

 

Tsuba with tendrils is mine and I do confirm that they have been inlaid post tsuba carving.

 

I have added anotherone with squirrels where tendrils have been carved and not added. but tendrils in that second case are not as thin as the previous one.

 

Regard

[Guido]

Thanks, Lee, now I see it, too.