Rebellion Wakizashi Tsuka

[Shamsy]

Good afternoon board,

 

I consider myself a novice when it comes to nihonto and not even close to that when it comes to tosogu. I never considered collecting fittings but decided to take a punt on something based purely on a desire to own something from the Satsuma rebellion. So I placed total trust in the seller and bought a wakizashi tsuka that is supposed to come from that conflict. I thought I'd share it.

 

I really like it based on it being from that conflict. If it clearly isn't rebellion, I would of course feel differently. I know it is in rough shape but so long as I believe it is genuine I don't really care. I would love the whole sword but this is a great start.

 

Cloth? ito over same and a wooden core. The menuki are black twisted wire tied with smaller copper wire. The fuchi is a very crude casting of waves. The little cap is gren and has a nice looking carving. At least it looks nice enough to me, but I know practically nothing about koshirae. I'll save that learning for after nihonto.

 

The patina looks good with rust and dust in all the right places, so I am certain it's not been put together any time recently. Is it rebellion? Well who really knows. Maybe you do! So I thought I'd share. As always I appreciate the learning opportunity the board provides.

[Geraint]

Hi Steve.

 

Compare to this for typical Rebellion style mounts, http://www.swordforum.com/forums/showthread.php?99265-Satsuma-rebellion-or-okashi-to-mounts

 

I'm not sure that I would classify yours as this style, almost always plain iron washers for menuki and the distinctive wrap style.

 

All the best.

[Dave R]

 There is a discussion on this forum about this very style. I started it with the intention of finding if they can be defined more precisely, and it does go some way to doing so. Many members here consider "low class" fittings and blades to be a waste of time so you will not find a lot more about them. Ironically the link above wiil take you back to this forum if you follow the quote back to it's origin. Below is the link to the longer thread here........ http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/12723-okashi-to-rebellion-swords/?hl=okashi

[Shamsy]

Hi Geraint and Dave,

 

Thank you both, what an interesting thread and discussion! It's opened more questions than provided answers, but certainly interesting to read. I'm really not sure which theory seems most plausible now. There was a second tsuka for sale that much better matched one of the pictures Ian provided, so that one at least seems a lot more typical of the pattern. Copper as opposed to iron though and no menuki. Great job on assembling the old thread Dave and glad to see I'm not alone in curiosity.

 

Cheers

[Kai-Gunto]

Not a rebellion tsuka.