Tagane

[FlorianB]

Gentlemen,

in the picture below You can see yose-tagane above and below the nakago-ana (on the right side highlighted).

 

I was told, that this special kind of tagane were in use during Muromachi-period to fit the tsuba to the tang. Later on (as You are no doubt aware) soft metals have been used for this purpose.
So, is it a rule that the age of a tsuba can be pinned down to Muromachi by the appearance of these yose-tagane?

Sincerly,
FlorianB

[Ford Hallam]

 

... is it a rule that the age of a tsuba can be pinned down to Muromachi by the appearance of these yose-tagane?

 

 

 

No

 

We have no idea what tools were used when.  This is merely someone's guesswork and not based on any actual evidence.

 

As for yose-tagane it's a type of punch, that might be used to displace metals as in the example. It's not really special but pretty much one of the more basic tools of the metalworker. It has  a variety of names too, depending on the workshop.

[christianmalterre]

@Florian

 

this "theory" about tagane and different variant tagane-punchmarks is a theory from the latter 60´s-early 70´s, which first time got observation in publications ben published in some of the those days collectors magazines or pamphlets given out ...

 

you still, from time to time, do encounter this theory in personal meetings....- it is but (as i wrote it above) a purely speculative tale.

based on a those times very individual "collectors-interpretation" only.

 

you can not determine the age of a Tsuba just on tagane punches or punchmarks only!

 

what you got told is in fact speculative nonsense!

 

there are punchmarks which do help to indicate a certain tradition,shop or even artist /  -these are but very individual signs- so not to ben compared with those tagane you showed here and do mean.

 

Christian

[FlorianB]

Hello,

thanks for Your answers - and the enlightment.
Of course I’m fully aware that You can not take ONE detail into consideration and ignore the rest. However, I just wanted another opinion to what I’ve heard about these tagane.

At least I’m not wondering any more that the paper accompanying this particular tsuba claims it to be made around Genroku. This “discrepancy” would have been my next question - no need any more.

Sincerly,
FlorianB