Opinions On Interesting Iron Tsuba?

[Ron STL]

I'm sharing a very nice iron tsuba that just came into my hands that I've been studying. So far I've not come up with any firm thoughts about origin and age other than I feel it is of good quality. It is iron plate of otafuku-gata shape which is described as a "puffy" mokko-gata. Measurements are 80.5 x 82.0 x 3.5 mm. Surface appears finely hammered and is inlaid with sea shells of shakudo, silver and copper in relief, along with some sea week in gold around a shell or two. What I think is another shell is cut into the plate in negative sukashi. The ura has a very slightly raised seppa-dai, the omote does not. Color of the plate is rich. I wondered initially if this was a tosho tsuba with inlay added later, but now I don't think that's the case. Perhaps somebody can come up with some thoughts on group and age for this tsuba. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoying seeing it.

Ron STL

[MauroP]

Hi Ron,
The inlay style is consistent with Aizu-Shōami (as the tsuba below), but the kind of sukashi of your tsuba is unusual for that school. Anyway a nice piece.

Bye, Mauro

[Brian]

What I find unusual is the slightly raised seppa dai, and the fact that the border of it is scalloped like some seppa.

I wonder if it wasn't fitted for a LONG time on a sword with seppa, and the rest of the tsuba suffered a little erosion and corrosion, leaving behind that shape of seppa dai?

The look of the surface is also different there.

 

Brian

[Geraint]

Hi Ron.

 

I think Brian is right about the seppa outline.  Have a look at this one on Grey's site, http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/holbrook-tsuba/h353-saotome-tsuba

Perhaps an early plate with added work. 

 

I really like it by the way.

 

All the best.

[Grey Doffin]

I don't think the raised seppa-dai is a product of erosion of the surrounding plate; I think the tsuba was made to have the raised dai.  Look at the border of the seppa-dai.  It is actually a uniform double line.  No way this could have been done by corrosion.  Doubtless the plate has seen corrosion and in places the seppa-dai has also, but when this tsuba was made the seppa-dai was raised with a carefully carved border.

Grey

[Geraint]

Looking again, (Isn't it frustrating sometimes, having to do all this without the thing in hand?)  I wonder if the line is in fact an accumulation of dirt around the location of the seppa.  Worth some gentle attention with some bone to see if it yields.

 

All the best.

 

Geraint

[Ron STL]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this. I've just taken a closer look at the "seppa dai" with a loop and then tested a spot with my fingernail...guess what, the scalloped outline chipped right away. It is as mentioned, an accumulation of age-old crud that gathered around a seppa that hadn't been removed for years. Amazing what comes from asking for opinions!  I also appreciate the description on Grey's tsuba, the "shell trumpet" or yamabushi. Now I can add this additional information to my description. Any additional ideas as to origin of the tsuba is of course welcomed. With Chicago so close at hand I'll probably bring the tsuba along for sharing.

Ron STL

[John A Stuart]

Is the plate an earlier one that has been re-used for the ornamental work? At 5:30 by the single scallop pic 2 of 3, was there some other stamp or other there? The sukashi is an 'horogai' used by the Yamabushi and some sects of Buddhism. John

[Ron STL]

There does appear to be some sort of "something" cut into the plate as you noted, John, but if intentionally stamped or cut in, I've not a clue what it might be. It doesn't appear like a kanji of any sort. John, just checking if you got my pm the other day regarding KTK?...while you're here. Ron STL