Best Koto Tsuba?

[Alex A]

A simple question (I think), from a Tsuba simpleton.

 

In terms of quality and skill, which tsuba from the Koto period do you think are the best, and why?

 

Cheers.

[John A Stuart]

Too many to pick just one. Everyone has their favourites, but, that doesn't mean one school is better than another by default. John

[Marius]

For iron tsuba:

 

Artistic talent (design, composition):

Kaneie, Nobuie, Yamakichibei 

 

Quality of workmanship and material:

Nobuie, Yamakichibei, Kaneie, Kanayma, Owari sukashi, some ko-Shoami, some ko-tosho and some ko-katchushi

 

 

Now, this is all very subjective and many more names can be added. Also many of the "schools" are just constructs (kagamishi, ko-tosho, ko-katchushi, etc).

 

I think we shouldn't use the term "koto" for tsuba - it is not a period, just the name of swords produced roughly before the end of the 16th c. Pre-Edo would be a better designation.

[Pete Klein]

I would add earliest Hoan.  This is right on the cusp of Edo but it is a bit of a distillation of wabi aesthetic.

[Marius]

Pete,

 

I could not agree more 

[Alex A]

Thanks gents for the pointers, appreciated

 

Mariusz, fitting that you mention "some", Ko-Katchushi & Ko-Tosho, spending a month trying to get my head around them eventually led to this thread. I get what your saying, all utilitarian, but fair to say that some are more so than others.

 

From then on, ive moved onto Onin, then Heianjo. (bit like the above, but jazzed up with brass inlay and prices seem more affordable)

 

Il get there, cheers.

[Darcy]

When you're done here, do Momoyama and newer.

[Alex A]

That's the plan Darcy, going from old to new. I started with early tsuba, ive been looking at iron plate tsuba with simple sukashi and also bronze, yamegane and nigurome tsuba with simple decoration such as hari-ishime 針石目, kebori 毛彫 etc.

 

I like these simple early tsuba, they are from an era that I like to study, but its not been easy to know what is considered top notch from those times. I see simple iron plate tsuba (plane jane, dare I say it) going for big bucks and then tsuba that seem more intricate going for a lot less, I guess the "history and rareness" factor has a lot do do with it. All got a bit confusing, but at least now I have some direction.

 

I suppose I'm following the same path, simple to more complicated, easy learning program

 

 

Cheers.

[Marius]

In those old tsuba top notch means: early, rare, big, ubu, excellent condition. Artistic value is less important.

[Alex A]

In those old tsuba top notch means: early, rare, big, ubu, excellent condition. Artistic value is less important.

 

I see, thanks Mariusz.

[Stephen]

[Daso]

Apologies for jumping on this thread to ask this, but as I am interested as well in acquiring a Tsuba to go with my newly arriving Koto Katana and I had two questions related to Alex's search.  Do most blade/Tsuba combinations necessarily match in their age or do most collectors just mix and match depending on what they like.  Also, without physically trying, how often does one run into a scenario where they purchase a Tsuba and it doesn't fit the tang (or is that unlikely). If it's loose, what does one do?  

[Alex A]

Darius, thats an whole different discussion, perhaps a new thread would have been a good idea were im sure you will get lots of good advice.

 

Briefly, fittings changed with time.

I think its good to match age, but not crucial.

Dont buy a tsuba that does not fit, measure the nakago, buy once.

[Daso]

Darius, thats an whole different discussion, perhaps a new thread would have been a good idea were im sure you will get lots of good advice.

 

Briefly, fittings changed with time.

I think its good to match age, but not crucial.

Dont buy a tsuba that does not fit, measure the nakago, buy once.

Sorry about that.  My bad. apologies.