Iron tsuba with non ferrous other mounts, question.

[Dave R]

I am aware that ideally a sword has all it's mounts in much the same metal, as in copper alloy mounts throughout or all iron throughout. I am interested to know if "back in the day" swords were mounted with copper alloy fuchi-kashira etc and iron tsuba, or if this was-is a definate no-no.

Dave

[Geraint]

Hi Dave.

 

I think that mixed mounts are more usual and quite acceptable. The term issaku koshirae is sometimes used to describe a situation where all the mounts are of the same material and my the same hand, it is rather unusual I think.

 

All the best.

[Guido]

Issaku-kanagu means made by the same person, but not neccessarily a matching motif or same material. Soroe-kanagu means matching motif, but not neccessarily same material or same maker.

[sanjuro]

OK ...... Silly Question Time...... Sorry if this is too basic.

 

Given the above, what would be the correct term for a matching set of tachi mounts (complete Kanagu) identical decoration, in the same material, by the same maker?

[Barrie B]

  Quote

I am aware that ideally a sword has all it's mounts in much the same metal, as in copper alloy mounts throughout or all iron throughout. I am interested to know if "back in the day" swords were mounted with copper alloy fuchi-kashira etc and iron tsuba, or if this was-is a definate no-no.

 

With the exception of 'court mounted' tachi (which mostly had all matching fittings) and banzashi-daisho that were supposed to have shakudo tsuba, most other swords would have had iron tsuba with either kin, gin, shakudo, shibuichi/rogin, tetsu or even suaka fittings (or a combination of) and this would have been quite acceptable. In fact Owari or Yagyu koshirae would undoubtably have tetsu (preferably Owari or Yagyu) tsuba's fitted, whilst all the other fittings could be (made of) any material that the owner decided, including - in same cases - horn.

 

If you look at pictures of good Koshirae, then you will notice that it is actually not the 'norm' to have the Koshirae fittings in all the same type of metal.. I can strongly recommend Markus Sesko's book Koshirae - Japanese Sword Mountings as an almost 'must have' for any nihonto collector - regardless of your specialised area of interest - to better understand how the things we collect were worn/ used, when (i.e what time period) and in what circumstance.

 

Barrie.

[Dave R]

Many thanks for these answers, this makes things a lot clearer.....