Resident of Echizen - Tsuba

[benkyoka]

Hello folks,

 

I was hoping to get some opinions and information regarding this tsuba. I can read the right hand column, but as for the name of the smith I only come up with 'Kinai'. Is this a proper translation? Can anyone point me in the direction to information on this smith? I would like to learn more about this particular tsuba and the person who made it. Does this tsuba display any characteristics of a certain time or school. My knowledge of Tosogu is even more lacking than my knowledge of the blades they were made for. Thanks!

[Michal]

Hello!

 

I'm not an expert either, but I spent some time on Echizen, enough to give you some hints before someone more knowledgeable will answer.

 

This is Echizen Kinai tsuba with the mei: "Echizen Ju" "Kinai Saku". There were few generations of makers in this school and each one used the same mei.

 

Yours Tsuba represents Torii gate and the plum tree in blossom. What is quite characteristic for Echizen (except the mei) is it was made in nikubori sukashi, and has a distinct rim/mimi.

 

(The first picture you posted is upside down, by the way)

 

More information you'll find here: http://www.users.on.net/~coxm/9.%20tsuba%20iii.html

 

If I'm wrong in any of my words, I hope someone will correct me.

 

Best Regards!

 

PS. These strokes shown below, seems to be quite unusual to me, I haven't seen such mei before anyway :? Hope someone more will help you further!

[benkyoka]

Michal,

 

Thank you so much for your reply and the link! I now have some reading ahead of me. I will try and locate the Echizen Kinai book that you linked to as well.

 

I acquired this tsuba from a friend of the family's and it came with NHTBK (hope I got those letters in the right order) papers. If anyone is interested, I could post those as well.

 

Thanks again!

[Martin]

I acquired this tsuba from a friend of the family's and it came with NHTBK (hope I got those letters in the right order) papers.

 

Hi Syd,

not quite

I think you mean the NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai = The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords). There is also another Organisation with similar abbreviation (NTHK: Nihon Token Hozon Kai) that issues papers (and hold Shinsa even outside of Japan).

Check this link for further information: http://www.nihontokanjipages.com/tosogu_kanteisho.html

 

best,

[benkyoka]

Hi Martin,

 

Thank you for another great, informative link! Yes, I do have the papers from the NBTHK and by looking at the examples and translations from the site this tsuba is designated as Hozon.

[drbvac]

I have a tsuba on a katana that is signed Kinai of echizen and I probably should know more about the furniture than I do. I spend so much time reading about the blades there isnt much time!

 

The fuchi is here, and I think the koshira is signed, Ren Yei, but thats all I know!

 

Any other info - dates etc?

[docliss]

Dear Brian

 

The fuchi-gashira that you have posted look very nice, and are possibly Omori work. I do not know the Renyei signature that you suggest - could you post a picture of the tenjo of the fuchi, in order to show the signature, I wonder?

 

With thanks, John L.

[drbvac]

Dear Brian

 

The fuchi-gashira that you have posted look very nice, and are possibly Omori work. I do not know the Renyei signature that you suggest - could you post a picture of the tenjo of the fuchi, in order to show the signature, I wonder?

 

With thanks, John L.

 

hers you go and I no doubt have the name incorrect now that I look at it - Any info would be appreciated.

 

You have to click on the other pic

[docliss]

Dear Brian

 

Thank you for posting the new images. Your fuchi-gashira is signed TSURAHIDE with kao. This is Kotani Tsurahide (H 10973.0), a pupil of Yanagawa Naotsura who worked in the province of Inaba circa 1825. There is a tsuba by him in the Bauer catalogue on p. 441 D1302, and # 664 in this catalogue shows his signature and kao. Robinson misreads him as Otani Tsurateru, but this would seem to be the same artist, and the kao are certainly very similar. It is a very attractive pair.

 

Regards, John L.

[drbvac]

Thanks so much John - it looks really nice mounted on the tsuka with the Tsuba on the katana> I have yet to get a "real attribution" for the blade but it must a fairly high end sword with furniture of this quality.