Daisho tsuba really Unno Shomin?

[terminus]

Hi,

 

Saw this pair of tsuba attributed to Unno Shomin on eBay: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F163787174618

 

The works looks pretty good, perhaps not as elegant as the best examples I’ve seen online. I’m not sure how much Unno Shomin work goes for, but it seems rather cheap to me? Any idea if it’s real?

 

Cheers,

 

Tony

[DirkO]

Typical things to consider. Would a Japanese sell this on eBay, unpapered? He has easy access to shinsa and experts and it would be easier to sell domestically if legit...

[Geraint]

Dear Tony.

 

Just to add to what Dirk suggested, I think I recall this seller getting a mention here and not for being a great guy.  Of course $3600 is only the starting price and it may well go a lot higher but more to the point do you think these are beautiful?  Even as I ask the question I hint at my answer.  Gorgeous or gaudy?  What do you think of that tiger?  Compare with this one from Markus' blog, https://markussesko.com/2013/04/05/from-the-life-of-unno-shomin/  

 

All the best.

[Tanto54]

Dear Tony,

 

From your other posts I understand that you are looking to purchase a great tsuba by a well known maker.  I wish you the very best of luck with that.  However, if you believe that this work is "pretty good" as you say, you really need to hit the books and study much harder before spending any money on tosogu.  These are simply horrible and could never be true Shomin or any decent artist....

 

[Stephen]

http://www.legacyswords.com/hazama-tsuba.html

 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F401499137680

 

Two ive seen of late...the daisho is over price IMHO

[TETSUGENDO]

http://www.legacyswords.com/hazama-tsuba.html

 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F401499137680

 

Two ive seen of late...the daisho is over price IMHO

The Hazama tsuba is an absolute knockout, everyone should take a look!  Thanks for posting it.

 

-S-

[Rivkin]

These come up on yahoo auction now and then, they do cost some money but I think below 1,400$. Looks like a somewhat modern work.

Regarding the papers, tosogu is relatively seldom papered compared to swords, I would not hold it too much against it.

 

Kirill R.

[terminus]

Thanks guys! Wasn’t planning on buying it since I’m not a fan of the design but good to know everyone else is thinking the same thing regarding this eBay set.

 

Yea, i don’t think the tiger was done or designed very well or like any Unno Shomin’s I’ve seen but I got to admit, I thought the trees bark was done quite well on this piece. Also eBay just feels like a strange place to sell a “big name” piece.

[Surfson]

Stephen, you are really something else.  The two examples you posted, both beautiful, are a copper tsuba and a pair of dragons.   We know what you like!!!