Tsuba Etc

[kissakai]

Hi

I just had this tsuba delivered and I have a couple of queries

Made by Tetsunin (Tetsujin) 鉄仁

 

It came in custom box

 

 

The kanji is illegible but as it bought from Japan and I've no reason to believe it has never left Japan I wondered what the wood was

Also it is about twice as heavy as the kiri boxes. The box has warped so it was never a suitable substitute wood

 

 

The interesting and intriguing point is the half round cutaway in the sukashi grooves. I've never seen this before and no real idea why it is there

I know in the fine Ito sukashi it would be made to appear a thinner cut out by rolling over the edges

As these cut outs are relatively wide I see no reason why they are there

 

 

 

Grev

 

 

[Curran]

It is a decent Japanese hardwood or 'dark'wood. I forget the Japanese name for these at present.

It could be rosewood, but then one of the woodworkers on the list can advise better.

 

Consider it a nice bonus.

There have been a few rare instances of which I am aware where the exotic wood box was worth equal or more than the tsuba inside.

[Ford Hallam]

zitan wood, it's a member of the rosewood family.

[TETSUGENDO]

Grev,

 

Most woods will warp given the right circumstances, in my experience encountering a deformed Kiri wood box is not a rare occurrence.  As to your box, it could be one of many woods, but most of the ones I have seen are made of stained Teak mimicing something more exotic. Teak does not react adversely with iron hence its use in this application.  For the Tsuba issue a better focused picture would help!

 

-S-

p.s.- noticed Ford slid in before me.....Could be Zitan or even Huanghuali, but as I said most are Teak made to look like more costly but less suitable woods.

[lotus]

What a coincidence as my Tetsunin Tsuba also arrived today. However, I did NOT get a fancy box only a travel pouch

[kissakai]

Nice tsubaPatrick and thanks for the information and hopefuuly I'll find out what the under cuts are

 

Nice one Ford and that raises a new interest. Internet info:

 

Zitan wood

Pricing/Availability:

Imported and used almost exclusively within China, where it commands absolutely exorbitant prices. Demand for Zitan puts it into an entirely separate price tier than even the most precious hardwoods sold throughout the Western world

The mystique surrounding Zitan has ery unfortunately reached an atrocious level. Prices for the wood are so high within China, illegal smugglers are willing to take up arms and kill or be killed in attempts to obtain this wood.

 

Maybe sell the box in China

 

 

Grev

[lotus]

I really need to write up a post on this Tetsunin fellow and his family as it is very interesting stuff. And actually the 2 brothers in the family both signed using Tetsunin which, I think, will make compaing signatures rather challenging...

[kissakai]

There are quite a few variation shown in various books

[lotus]

Correct, I just found reference that several generations within the Aoki family signed Tetsunin / Tetsujin. Not just the 2.

[lotus]

I was looking at a few Tsuba I had bookmarked and noticed this one and said, hmmmm, that partial mei looks kinda familiar... Anyone agree?

 

ps. I superimposed the mei from my tsuba onto the one in question.

[TETSUGENDO]

Grev,

 

Don't buy that villa on the Cote d'azur yet......Zitan woods value is contextual.  Large volumes of Zitan lumber are quite valuable, finely wrought objects very desireable, the best Classic Ming/Ching furniture can have enormous value.  Your hardwood box, although quite nice, is of relatively modest value....even if made of of Zitan.  When you have the time I suggest you research the subject in depth.

 

Cheers,

   -S-

[kissakai]

OK cancel world cruise

Patrick sylistically similar to mind so did yours have a groove in the sukashi?

[lotus]

Grev -

 

Are you referring to the first one I posted, my little tosho with the flower? If so, that one shows normal carving.

 

If the one I just posted, that one I do not own but will check seller pics to see if there are closeups that might show (when I get home tonight)

 

Pat

[kissakai]

Hi Patrick

Not the tosho but the one you jusy posted

Never seen these grooves in the sukashi before

 

 

Grev

[lotus]

Grev -

 

From the pics I see, they also looked normally carved. They are not super closeups like yours, however.