Tsuba info?

[Brian]

Hi all,

 

If there are any tsuba guys here, I am looking for a bit of info on this one. Just received it on a katana I purchased locally (that needs work..keep dremels away from swords!) and was wondering if anyone could give any info. Dimensions are 85mm wide x 92mm high, and 6mm thick at the mimi. Patina is a nice glossy black mostly. I hesitate to mention it, but there are shiny areas that seem to be remains of laquer, but I am not sure if that is pertinent or valid.

Pics are sooo difficult to do properly.

 

Much appreciated.

 

Brian

 

[docliss]

Dear Brian

 

I am sure that your mokkÅ-gata tsuba should be labelled as HeianjÅ-zÅgan work. This style, originating in the early 1500s, was revived in the late Edo period, with more naturalistic designs, and again in the Meiji era, predominantly for export to the West. It is difficult to judge the quality of the iron plate from your photographs, but the realistic depiction of the three-toed dragon and the presence of the gold incrustation on the flammiform appendages suggest that it dates from one of these revival periods. The well-worn nakago-hitsu, together with that of sekigane, favours the earlier of these. The suggestion of previous lacquer does not influence these conclusions, and I feel there is a Mito influence present. So I would conclude late Edo, HeianjÅ-zÅgan work.

 

Regards, John L.

[Brian]

Thanks John, much appreciated.

I had Heianjo in the back of my mind, but wasn't sure enough to come to a conclusion.

The mix of certain traits would indicate to me the crossover work from late Edo with other influences.

 

Thanks,

Brian