First tsuba

[wublet]

Hey all

 

Bought this piece because it intrigued me (it looks like there was something more there,) well that and it cost the price of a round of drinks. For any idea as to what, where, when and whom it came from I would be very grateful. Or indeed any pointers as to to where I can continue my research. As mentioned elsewhere the detail in inlay and carving really only becomes apparent, at least to my eyesight using a jeweler's monocle. Forgive the iffy photography as the old DSLR was ditched after one too many Himalayan trips - 2kg is a lot at 7000m!

 

Dim's are: 70mm top to bottom and 68mm across with a thickness of 2.2m throughout, saved the raised areas. Any information very gratefully received.

[laowho]

I love it. Dunno why exactly, possibly to do with possible iron on iron inlay of lumpiness where the unlikely ground of rocky soil germination would be. But if it were shown with a hundred others, it'd be one of only a handful that I'd fancy, so am looking forward to hearing what others will say. BTW, what are they doing, anticipating that copper will turn green for foliage?

[wublet]

Wow, thank you for such kind comments. It really did have me fascinated too.

 

I'd be very grateful for anything anyone else has to add.

[Soshin]

Bought this piece because it intrigued me (it looks like there was something more there,) well that and it cost the price of a round of drinks.

 

Hi Jeff R.,

 

It bit of reminds me of my first one I ever purchased. I was so proud it wasn't a Chinese fake. I am happy you didn't pay much for it. Have you seen many Japanese sword handguards (Jpn. tsuba 鍔)? I have a website mostly focused on the art, utility, and history of Japanese sword handguards. The link is below on my signature. The website is a modern commercial site that I fund through my sales at Japanese sword shows in the USA and selling things on NMB. The website has a lot of information and example all with good detail photographs. The link section on this website is also good as well as my own site. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

[wublet]

It bit of reminds me of my first one I ever purchased. I was so proud it wasn't a Chinese fake. I am happy you didn't pay much for it. Have you seen many Japanese sword handguards (Jpn. tsuba 鍔)? I have a website mostly focused on the art, utility, and history of Japanese sword handguards. The link is below on my signature. The website is a modern commercial site that I fund through my sales at Japanese sword shows in the USA and selling things on NMB. The website has a lot of information and example all with good detail photographs. The link section on this website is also good as well as my own site. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

 

Same here, I hoped I'd gained enough knowledge to discern an obvious fake and if it turned out to be so there wasn't very much ventured. There just seemed to be this sense of wabi-sabi? I've seen hundreds of tsuba over the past few years but only ever online or in books. This was the very first one I've seen in the flesh. Each time I get to London I never seem to get the time to visit the V&A to see their collection. The pictures though are literally stunning, but short of winning the lottery I doubt I'd ever have the means to own anything so grand, or indeed many of the pieces I've seen here. So if this becomes a hobby (my wife would say obsession ) it will be limited to pieces that most likely have little fiscal value, but that I find aesthetically pleasing.

 

David, I enjoyed your website, thank you. I don't there was a single piece I didn't find beautiful. I've visited all the links there many times, though still feel like I know next to nothing.

 

There are many questions I have re the piece. Firstly I'd love to know a little of where it came from and who might of made it and when. I have no idea even how much study this might take but it is my hope that someone here might be able to shed some light or perhaps point me in the right direction. In the meantime I trawl the net looking for clues and visual/aesthetic similarities while trying to achieve a basic knowledge of the subject.

 

Secondly, I'm somewhat worried about the red rust patches evident on both sides. I have read the few guides on it's removal linked here, but would like to know if it's worth the risk, especially near the inlay.

 

Lastly the inlaid and raised work, to the naked eye seems, copper brass and maybe just worn steel, but at higher magnification some seem more like precious metals. <- I realize this is most probably wishful thinking

 

I'd be interested to hear the community's thoughts.

 

Thanks in advance

[Soshin]

Hi Jeff R.,

 

The rear side of your tsuba looks like it is inlaid with a bit of silver specifically on the roof of the rural home. I have seen similar grass roofs when I was traveling to rural Shimane Prefecture in 2013. The front side is inlaid in what I think is copper and brass or even gold. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between brass and gold if you not looking at the tsuba in hand as color balance of the photo can easily make brass look like gold and vice visa. In terms of age and school I would say your tsuba was likely made by the Aizu Shoami school circa the late Edo Period around 1770 to 1868. I am basing my call on artistic composition, materials and techniques used. Once you see more examples you will start to see what I am talking about. With the inlay of silver in a almost highlight like manner is fairly commonly seen in Aizu Shoami school work which was based in Aizu Province. Many not so experienced or seasoned collectors dislike the Aizu Shoami school but I have seen enough very fine pieces and even masterpieces to truly understand and appreciate the school's work as a whole.

[wublet]

Hi Jeff R.,

 

The rear side of your tsuba looks like it is inlaid with a bit of silver specifically on the roof of the rural home. I have seen similar grass roofs when I was traveling to rural Shimane Prefecture in 2013. The front side is inlaid in what I think is copper and brass or even gold. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between brass and gold if you not looking at the tsuba in hand as color balance of the photo can easily make brass look like gold and vice visa. In terms of age and school I would say your tsuba was likely made by the Aizu Shoami school circa the late Edo Period around 1770 to 1868. I am basing my call on artistic composition, materials and techniques used. Once you see more examples you will start to see what I am talking about. With the inlay of silver in a almost highlight like manner is fairly commonly seen in Aizu Shoami school work which was based in Aizu Province. Many not so experienced or seasoned collectors dislike the Aizu Shoami school but I have seen enough very fine pieces and even masterpieces to truly understand and appreciate the school's work as a whole.

 

Thank you very much for sharing I'll do a little more reading now I can zero in a bit.

[wublet]

Thanks again for sharing. I've ordered some recommended books having already exhausted the net for (English) information, I think.

 

Incidentally some of the inlay on the front side is gold, not that I'd know yet if it made the slightest difference to it's value.

 

Thankfully I'm retired at 50 so have plenty of time to research.

 

Kindest Regards

 

btw What do you do with wives/partners who are getting a bit miffed?

[Soshin]

Hi Jeff R.,

 

Thanks again for sharing. I've ordered some recommended books having already exhausted the net for (English) information, I think.

Getting some books and doing some reading will help and it is a good way to start this hobby.

Incidentally some of the inlay on the front side is gold, not that I'd know yet if it made the slightest difference to it's value. Thankfully I'm retired at 50 so have plenty of time to research.

The quick answer to your question is no. Generally small precious metals as inlays are so small they do not involve enough precious metals to do much to increase a antique Japanese sword fittings value. Here is an example in my collection where this isn't the case as precious metals inserts are fairly large and very skillfully done.

btw What do you do with wives/partners who are getting a bit miffed?

I am not a licensed therapist but communication is key to any good relationship. I try to show my wife my tsuba and explain about the history (where and when) and the many designs pictured on them. My wife really likes the above Kenjo tsuba above she said it has a very refine appearance.

[wublet]

What a delightful piece!

 

I'm sure my wife would love it too

 

And you're not a licensed therapist? Damn!