How common are Tsuba without any Hitsu Ana?

[Uechi]

I've seen many tsuba with one Hitsu Ana either kogai or kozuka but not a lot without any holes. Is this a reflection of an older or younger generation of tsuba, hitsu ana coming later or earlier in history?. I'd be interested if anyone knows a time frame when hitsu ana became common place or the opposite when tsuba were without any if such a thing exists?

[Mark]

I have tsuba without Hitsu ana, they are not as common but you will see them. Others will know more but I was told they were made for katana without kozuka and/or kogai.

[b.hennick]

Hi Jeffrey:

Here is a shakudo tachi tsuba without any Hitsu ana:

[sabi]

Generally, ubu designates an older tsuba, but of course that is not always the case and there are tons of exceptions.

 

Regarding the early ko-tosho and ko-katchushi plates that do have hitsu ana, it is widely believed that many were added later on. While having or not having hitsu ana cannot be used solely to determine age, it can certainly help if there are other indications that it may be an older piece.

[BMarkhasin]

Hi Jeffrey,

 

Tsuba without hitsu-ana (kogai and kozuka openings) generally are less common than those with, but this is an oversimplification. Some koshirae (ie. Tachi, handachi) are not designed to accommodate saya implements, and thus the corresponding tsuba should also not have had hitsuana - irrespective of age. Preservation is another factor. By this I mean that most modern koshirae (Muromachi onwards) do utilize some form of saya implement, so generally speaking most tsuba made from the 14th c (assuming they are not intended for tachi koshirae) should have hitsuana. Extant pieces of tosogu predating this period are extremely rare, and to find them in unaltered condition (ubu) is even more so, so our available data is highly skewed. Ubu is often used to describe tsuba with no hitsu-ana, but this is an inaccurate use of the term. There are numerous ubu tsuba, some very old, which have hitsu-ana. This just means they were originally designed with hitsu-ana. The complication enters the equation in determining which tsuba that now have hitsu-ana, actually had them added later in their lives. Some hitsuana were added very thoughtfully, preserving the plate or composition of any artistic elements. One other consideration is for which type of koshirae were the tsuba intended - personal koshirae tended to be equipped with saya implements, so corresponding tsuba (if used) should have had them as well -- and thus could have been ubu with hitsuana. In terms of value assessment, as usual, the details are all important. Ubu pieces generally carry more relative value in any condition. However, just because a tsuba has had later alterations, does not necessarily reduce its value. Everything has to be considered in context. This is complex subject, and has been in some way or another covered in the past on this board, so I suggest you run a search for past threads.

 

Best Regards,

Boris.

[Uechi]

Bought on E-Bay would expect mid to late Edo

[sabi]

I would agree and tilt towards late.

 

Is that a shakudo mimi i see?

[Barrie B]

Is that a shakudo mimi i see?

 

Mimi is the rim (or edge if you like) of the Tsuba; 'Fukurin' is the correct term for a cover added to the rim. They are usually made of soft metal, but I have seen iron.

 

When the rim is raised, it is called a Dote Mimi..

 

Hope this helps - http://www.shibuiswords.com/glossary1.htm

 

Barrie B.

[Uechi]

I would agree and tilt towards late.

 

Is that a shakudo mimi i see?

 

Yes that is Shakudo mimi

[Guido]

Mimi is the rim (or edge if you like) of the Tsuba; 'Fukurin' is the correct term for a cover added to the rim.

Yes that is Shakudo mimi

[Kurikata]

Very late Edo or Meiji.....

[christianmalterre]

also many times you do find Tsuba,which formerly had ben intended with openings...

-which but got artificially replugged again....

(matter of taste,stylism and wear-especially in Edo era)

(here the plugs are reset in pure gold)

there´s no fix rule here in general...

 

Christian