What could be the reason for this tsuba being plugged ?

[kusunokimasahige]

I found this tsuba among the ebay auctions and noticed it has a plug of some kind put inside the nakago hitsu ana.

 

There is a pin of some kind attached to the plug. What would this have been used for ? Wall ornament ? Something else ?

 

KM

[Tcat]

My best guess is an attempt at a belt buckle, a la: http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/j ... -111413345

[sabi]

My best guess is an attempt at a belt buckle, a la: http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/j ... -111413345

 

I agree.

 

One of my knifemaking buddies told me that he would see tsuba fitted as belt buckles all the time in Cali back in the 80's.

 

Can't imagine what else that plug could be used for.

[Davis]

Possibly used in a Meiji period cupboard/cabinet that was made for tourists/export, using redundant tsuba , menuki etc.,

Mick

[Alan Morton]

HI KM,

your tsuba has been in a fire and the missing surface

finish is called fire scale.It can be repaired by someone

of the likes of Ford Hallam or one of the other Tsubakos.

Alan

[Uechi]

HI KM,

your tsuba has been in a fire and the missing surface

finish is called fire scale.It can be repaired by someone

of the likes of Ford Hallam or one of the other Tsubakos.

Alan

 

If This Tsuba has been in a fire why does it still have Gold on it? The only two answers are that it wasn't in a fire or the Gold was added after the fact.Gold melts at a lower temperature then Iron.

[kusunokimasahige]

Alan, it is not my tsuba nor will it become mine. Not for the price the seller is asking

 

I just wondered about the plug, that is why I posted it.

 

Interesting though that it might have been in a fire. Had not seen that kind of damage before you pointed it out.

I have seen decrepid, pitted and rusted away tsuba so I thought it was that.

 

 

KM

[Alan Morton]

Hi all ,

this tsuba has been in a fire and is damaged by it

also there is some gold left but I think a lot is missing.

The gold hitsuana and nakago plugs are a later addition.

I have seen a few tsuba like this one(damaged by fire.}

ALan