Fleck Posted June 10, 2015 Report Posted June 10, 2015 Hallo all, I was wondering if you guys could give me some information about these parts: tsuba, fuchi, kashira and the tsuka as a whole. Maybe how old it could possibly be and what the different symbols mean. Info on the seppa and habaki would be welcome as well, but don't know if they belong in this section as well! Thanks a lot, Fleck Quote
MauroP Posted June 10, 2015 Report Posted June 10, 2015 Hi Fleck, I'm able to comment only on tsuba, and unfortunately I strongly suspect it's a poor cast item of post-Edo. You can find dozen of them on eBay. The sukashi pattern probably represent a family crest (変り四菱紋 - kawari yottsu hishi-mon). Bye, Mauro Quote
Fleck Posted June 10, 2015 Author Report Posted June 10, 2015 Thanks so far guys, more opinions are very welcome! Quote
Grey Doffin Posted June 10, 2015 Report Posted June 10, 2015 As Brian said, the tsuba may be cast. May not be. I'm not very sure either way. What makes you so sure? Grey Quote
Kai-Gunto Posted June 10, 2015 Report Posted June 10, 2015 Fuchi and kashira ,late edo-meiji.motif is pressed out and made in thousands. Quote
Fleck Posted June 11, 2015 Author Report Posted June 11, 2015 Good evening, Thanks for your opiniosn so far. I have some additional photo's which might give a bit more details. Some extra photo's of the scabbard as well, don't know if I'm allowed to post those here as well? It has an extra small knife on the side. Thanks a lot, Fleck Quote
Fleck Posted June 11, 2015 Author Report Posted June 11, 2015 The menuki seems to be a sea horse, although it's pretty much covered by the ito. Quote
MauroP Posted June 11, 2015 Report Posted June 11, 2015 Hi Fleck, an opinion is just an opinion, and has very little value if unexplained. That's why I think your tsuba is a casted one: - that kind of item is very common in shape (and I'm guessing in dimensions). I have an (almost?) identical tsuba. Mine is 58.3 x 52.9 x 5 mm, weight 45 g. In the picture below I've put 4 other identical tsuba randomly taken from eBay: - here below, from pictures you have posted, two defects that are typical of imperfect casting: Of course casted tsuba does not mean fake modern tsuba, but just a low level mass production (i.e. a sciiremono - 仕入物). Bye, Mauro Quote
Tanto54 Posted June 12, 2015 Report Posted June 12, 2015 Dear Fleck, pretty sure the menuki is a dragon. Quote
Fleck Posted June 12, 2015 Author Report Posted June 12, 2015 Thanks guys! @ Mauro: The dimensions you wrote are pretty much the same. I would say they are 5,8 x 5,1 x 4/5 mm. You earlier said that it's probably post-edo, so that would be after 1868? The blade that 'belongs' to the tsuka (and tsuba) is probaly a lot older, say late shinto/early shinshinto. Could such a casted tsuba be from this period as well? @ George: Thanks, that could indeed be the case! What do you guys think about the tsuka itself and about the saya? Cheers, Fleck Quote
Geraint Posted June 12, 2015 Report Posted June 12, 2015 Dear Fleck. Looking at the tsuba images in your second post, examine the area at the bottom of the seppa dai, you can clearly see the seam from the casting. Looking at the seppa dai you will note a general blurring of the shape as well as characteristic scratches, irregular but more or less on the long axis of the oval. What you have is a low end koshirae, mostly Japanese parts though I have my doubts about the kodzuka. It looks to be assembled in Japan so not made up in the west but right at the bottom end of the market. Have a look at some of the koshirae for sale on dealers websites, this one is a good place to start,http://www.aoijapan.com/ You will soon see what wea re all talking about. All the best. Quote
Fleck Posted June 12, 2015 Author Report Posted June 12, 2015 Thank you, Geraint.I see what you mean. So not a high quality set up, but a cheaper/later version.Could you possibly guess from which era this is? From the wear and 'patina' it looks fairly old though, so I guess at least from before 1900?The sword handle, especially the ita and the ray skin, in total looks pretty used though, any idea what it could be used for? If it was just made for display or fun I would suspect it to be in better/unused shape. Was this sword, although featuring late/poor koshirae, probably handled a lot? If so, I guess not for fighting, so then for what? Practice? Not your ideal knife to cut your steak, or to peel potatoes with...Thanks for your opinion and the link!Fleck Quote
MauroP Posted June 14, 2015 Report Posted June 14, 2015 Hi Fleck,it's really difficult to define the age of your tsuba, and my hypothesis is only speculative. I presume an utilitarian fitting for ashigaru soldiers from Bakumatsu (i.e. the very late Edo) or Meji era. In earlier times would have been impractical to make casted tsuba (you get poor quality pieces but need a lot of charcoal), and later the military fittings should be shaped in a more western fashion. See some pictures here:https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5wQUaNuuFQxV2U2V29LRkZTUGlwWk5pNFV2ZU8yUQ/edit?pli=1 Bye, Mauro Quote
Fleck Posted June 18, 2015 Author Report Posted June 18, 2015 Hi Mauro, That's an interesting theory! Thank you! But the question remains, how come it looks pretty used? De ray skin is gone in some places, the brown 'lace' looks dirty and has smoother spots on the higher parts like it was held a lot. Are these just normal signs of age or could it indeed be handled 'a lot'? If so, I guess this was mainly due to training? I know that this all is pure speculation, but that can be interesting as well. Cheers, Fleck Quote
kuromido Posted June 21, 2015 Report Posted June 21, 2015 I would agree with Gunto on the F/K. Have seen many sets of these, Several on low end koshirae and all are identical with the exception of condition. peterD Quote
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