Started my Tsuba Collection

[Donjohn]

Went to the Chantilly Gun Show today and started my Tsuba collection with the following two pieces. Any tips on identifying: age, maker, location made, etc? Also, any suggestions on how to go about learning more about Tsubas? Suggested books?

 

Also had the pleasure of meeting, conversing and learning a ton from Chuck Cillo.

 

Don J.

[Antti]

Hi Don,

 

The suggested books have been discussed countless times before. You'll find them by using the search function above. The basic advice is that read a lot before you buy and try to get a chance to handle excellent tsuba (note the plural - not 'tsubas' ).

 

Also I would recommend going through the old topics in the forum, which I found very useful and using the Links-section on top to find helpful sites.

 

I do not wish to comment on your first two tsuba. The one on the left gave me the first impression that it might have been in a fire once, but the more experienced guys will know more.

[dirk marshall]

I do not know much but I found the Haynes auction catalog set along with Naunton Catalog of Japanese Sword Fittings to be the best for starting out. I have a fair match for the one tsuba

[Stephen]

Like the last set Dirk, very nice.

[Toryu2020]

Don

Not a bad start. The first is interesting since it seems to use the ken-katabami mon, with just one plugged with brass. I wonder if you see evidence that others of the cut-outs were filled?

 

Also of interest is the two plugs either side of the nakago-ana, could this have been mounted on a wall somewhere?

 

The second does indeed match Dirk's motif quite well, i think better photos of each are in ordero say more...

-t

[MauroP]

Interesting tsuba and very nice F/K set, but not matching theme. On tsuba a popular fabric design, on F/K lightings omong clouds.

Bye, Mauro

[dirk marshall]

Your right, sometimes can't see the forest for the trees. I saw the reverse swastica assumed keyfret and now realize I saw what my mind, not eyes seen

[Donjohn]

Thanks to all who responded. These obviously don't compare to some of the incredible works of art on some Tsuba owned by many board members but I thought they were fun.

 

T, in conversations with a few people, the plugs might once have been part of a belt buckle. As far as the other cut outs being filled...I don't believe so. Is the coppery looking material shakudō?

 

Don

[MauroP]

Hi Don,

I'm unable to answer your question, the hitsu-ana plug (umegane) is almost surely shakudo, the other material could be either unpatinated shakudo or another copper-based alloy.

I had a second look at the other tsuba (with the engraved sayagata pattern) and only now I see some seal script kanji. It could be interesting and educative to have them translated.

Bye, Mauro