Can Tsuba be so Similar??

[Peter M]

Hello all,

 

Would like some comments on a tsuba purchased recently from Australia. I was just trolling through some online listings for tsuba and cam across on which appears to be almost identical. Identical design however some chisel marks may be slightly different.

 

Would like to hear from anyone who cares to comment. Have included four pictures of the Tsuba in my possession and some from the auction.

 

Thanks

 

Peter McV

 

My Pictures Below

 

 

 

 

Ebay Pictures http://cgi.ebay.com/TSUBA-iron-sukashi- ... dZViewItem

[Rich S]

It's not at all unusual to find identical or nearly identical tsuba.

Most schools of tsuba makers used pattern books for their designs -

many of these books are known. The "one of" tsuba is more the

rarity in my experience.

 

Rich S

[Peter M]

Thanyou Richard,

 

I was amazed at the similarities between the two but now that I have a quick look through eBay and some online pictures I can see what you mean.

 

Any thoughts as to the authenticity of the Tsuba and what the mei reads as?

 

Once again Thanks

 

Peter McV

[Rich S]

Peter -

 

I'm not good at reading mei on tosogu (have hard enough time

with Nihonto), but I would expect it to be legit. Since so many

schools used pattern books and passed designs down from

"master" to apprentice, etc. there are lots of similar if not identical

tsuba around. Also the same design was not uncommonly done in

different sizes making it rather easy to piece together a daisho set

of tsuba. By the mid to late Edo, the schools were so "mixed" that

the same basic design was being used by several different schools.

Makes trying to get an absolute maker id lots of fun :-)

Hopefully someone can translate the mei for you.

 

Rich S

[Nobody]

The mei may be Jakushi (è‹¥èŠ). .....of Hizen?

[Peter M]

Thanks all,

 

Sorry I have been away for a few days on holiday.

 

I will pass the news on to the owner regarding the tsuba.

 

On a side note....He also purchaced a Katana while he was in Japan about two months ago. The people he bought it off were reputable and informed him that while the blade was genuine the mei was not.

 

Would it be of any interest to those here to post some pictures of the blade and the fake mei for study/records? If so let me know and I will organise some photos

 

Regards

 

Peter Mcv

[Ludolf Richter]

There is no Jakushi Mei for the 5 or 6 generations other than in Sosho to be found in the books.Ludolf