Hi. Questions On The Two Tsubas

[gauze3539]

Hi.

 

As many requested from my previouse thread to share my two tsuba bought from Ebay and to identify what they are, I start this thread. So if someone could identify what these are and possibly the ages, it would be appreciated. By the way, these to tsuba came out together within the two $ digits.

 

The sukashi one looks Heianjo kyo sukashi but I am not sure. This one actually was so funny that the seller from Japan took the photo under so dark shade, I didn't even see any of the inlays at the first sight. Besides, the tsuba looked compeletely cast iron tsuba so I guess it has been on the ebay forerver. But I saw very faint shades of inlays + sekigane, I just push the button to buy and requested some close up photos and I got these photos from seller. I hope it's not a fake anything but a hidden treasure at the price. I see zogan works but don't know what is that straight inlays. Seems like the the surface has been messed up by something as if it was stored hundrededs of years inside of fabiric pocket or gauze so. Do you guys have any idea for it if it's authentic? I haven't received the tsuba yet.

 

The other one is truly amazing. It's really heavy and heaviest tsuba among mine. I thought it was tekkotsu but maybe understood wrong. It is legendary purplelish nlack patina that should be seen until early edo tsuba if I am not wrong. This also has a signature that the seller didn't post on his listing. It also seem to have some brass zogan work left on the surface. When I see this on a specific angle? This looks like a jelly iron ( possibly konyaku -like surface) and very well-y smooth on the surface. Two part of the rim are bent as if it was pushed down gently by fingers. I specifically like this a lot and this is the truly quality iron tsuba that you have to touch in hands to know. It's super heavy and forged like iron that doesn't let it rusted too much. For the motiff, I see a stairs and a pine tree and the back ground must be zogan work of bush or leaves. However, It looks like a psychedelic art that at the same time, I remind a face of alien or the monster of the game: Packman or even a skull. So it's a truly amazing. I have never studied this type of tsuba yet so I basically have 0 idea on this tsuba although I like it maybe the most among what I have currently. So anyone has idea of era and school? Thank you very much for the reading.

 

Jason C

[gauze3539]

Am I actually seeing a tekkotsu here on the rim? It seems like it with my new study .

[MauroP]

Hi Jason,  good take for the price!

Just some hints on your  tsuba you can research by your own. The sukashi of the first one represent an umpan ( 雲板), i.e.  a sort of gong used in Zen monasteries. The tiny cross-hatched pattern is just the base for a nunome-zōgan (布目象嵌), now almost completely worn-out. The style and the subject suggest most likely a Shōami work. The second tsuba represent a mushroom (Lentinula edodes - shiitake  - 椎茸). I'm unable to read the signature (but doesn't seem Kinai). The tsuba is probably from mid to late Edo, and it's unlikely to have tekkotsu for this kind of late tsuba.

Bye, Mauro

[MauroP]

I've taken a second look at the mei. It could be:

正阿弥  - Shōami

包氏作 - Kaneuji saku

[Brian]

:clap:

Mauro!

[gauze3539]

Thank you very much Mauro. It sounds like you answered everything. It seems like I got Shoami's work for both. Now I know what I need to study. Thanks again. By the way guys, is it normal that they put a piece of tamahagane in between hitsu ume? I was able to manage to open it and I found this piece. Is it posibble the maker intentionally put a piece of iron they used ti make this tsuba in a hidden place? Or it was just for the holding the gap? If it was an intention from maker which meant to be found later years, I found this. I crafully put all back after the picture. Any ideas? I hope it was the same iron used to make the tsuba.