Tsuba help

[Mark C]

Hi all,

 

I have aquired this tsuba that I intend to mount so info will not be used for commercial purposes.

 

Iron, 3" high and 2 7/8" across. It has a shakudo rim.

 

Theme, I think is reeds and these seem to be silvered copper. There seems to be the remains of a signature but I would think it's mission impossible to work out due to damage around the ana.

 

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

Many thanks

 

Mark

[Ford Hallam]

Hi Mark,

 

there is so very little to go on here but for what it's worth I'll offer a few suggestions :|

 

Despite the rim, which, when added to a plain iron tsuba, can indicate an older swordsmith's or armourers work that has been refined, or gentrified a little, I think this rim is contemporary with the tsuba's manufacture.

 

The obliterated mei is a bit worrying, that sort of damage isn't typical, especially as there doesn't really seem to be any obvious reason for it. Perhaps a much later ( like this year ) attempt to suggest that it was signed once.

 

The style of decoration is quite distinctive, albeit very sparse. I think I'd lean towards late Mito work, the last 50 years of the Edo period.

 

Regards,

 

Ford

[Mark C]

Hi Ford,

 

Many thanks for your reply. So, late Mito work, I'm happy with my little find

 

I have attached a close-up pic of the mei area and you are right about the left of the ana but the right hand side seems a little better.

 

Again thanks

 

regards

 

Mark

[Rickisan]

Forgive my rookie question...but why would these marks be made?...Just to re-size(tighten) the hitsu ana, to fit the next item?

Rick

[Mark C]

Hi Rick,

 

I think this is one method of resizing the hitsu-ana, I like to see pieces of copper rather than these sort of marks

 

regards

 

mark