johnnyi Posted April 2, 2017 Report Posted April 2, 2017 The actual patina is dark green with patches of green dusty oxidation in a few areas. It measures 74.7 mm high by 74.8 mm wide. About 3.8-3.9 rim, 3.3 mm-3.5 mm seppa dai. I am not knowledgeable enough to explain the two completely different textures on each side: One side seemingly cast, and the other possibly cast the same way, and then scraped down,leaving the low spots to look like pits of corrosion (my guess-not fact). The Inner walls of the hitsu-ana are relatively clean, and old enough to display one or two tiny corrosion bumps, and it doesn't appear that any substantial corrosion from the surface (in the off chance it is corrosion) leads into them. In other words the hitsu-ana appear to my eyes as having been cut after the mottled surfaces were already there. I'm at a loss to explain the tsuba being different on both sides, except maybe it was in the process of being completed when it went into service? maybe idle hands between battles decided to abrade it on something?, or maybe it is the result something else.... Someone here will know, as they always do! Thanks for taking the time to look, Regards, Johnnyi Quote
Geraint Posted April 2, 2017 Report Posted April 2, 2017 Dear Johnny. The shape and alignment of the hitsu ana are worth following up on. They suggest an early tsuba. All the best Quote
Grey Doffin Posted April 2, 2017 Report Posted April 2, 2017 The hitsu-ana appear to be too small to be useable, which leads me to wonder if this is some sort of fake. Grey Quote
johnnyi Posted April 2, 2017 Author Report Posted April 2, 2017 Hi Grey. The oldest ones were very tiny. Here's a nice table that I understand one of the members posted a few years back showing the earliest, (please, to the maker of this table, forgive me for forgetting your name!) johnnyi Quote
Geraint Posted April 2, 2017 Report Posted April 2, 2017 I see you are well ahead of me Johnny. All the best Quote
johnnyi Posted April 2, 2017 Author Report Posted April 2, 2017 Ha, don't count on that Geraint but thanks . I do have another link though which has a few things on it. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/10010-katchushi-and-tosho-tsuba/ Quote
Peter Bleed Posted April 2, 2017 Report Posted April 2, 2017 Well, gee! If I had this tsuba, I'd ask Grey about it because it really looks old. I'd also ask about the - ahhh - strange surface finish. Peter Quote
Curran Posted April 2, 2017 Report Posted April 2, 2017 It sounds like Johnnyi has much of it. Almost certainly an old kinko tsuba modified and probably coated during the 1500s. As he said, one or both of the holes cut later. Sometimes they were just expanded. Size rules not as codified as they were during the Edo period. Some kogai very flat at the 'earpick' end and kozuka very thin, or resting a bit lower than on Edo koshirae. 1 Quote
Grey Doffin Posted April 2, 2017 Report Posted April 2, 2017 I stand corrected, I think. If the tsuba is 7.47 cm tall the kotsuka hitsu-ana is less than half a centimeter wide. Would that fit any kotsuka out there? Grey Quote
johnnyi Posted April 3, 2017 Author Report Posted April 3, 2017 Grey, you have good eyes. In fact it is very close to your guess, 5.2 interior base x 3.9 interior top x 14.0 height. Fits like it was made for it. regards, johnnyi Quote
christianmalterre Posted April 3, 2017 Report Posted April 3, 2017 hmmmh... since long a new addition here ( if you shall get rid of it ???? ( such things sometimes shall happen! i hear... ) - DO LET ME KNOW! Christian 1 Quote
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