Kyo Sukashi

[mdiddy]

I have here what I believe to be a Kyo Sukashi tsuba. It's maru gata, made of iron, 68mm x 65mm and ~4mm thick. I am wondering if anyone can recommend the best way to date this piece. It is mumei but I'm wondering if this is recognizable work by and specific or specific group of smiths that could pinpoint to a 50-year timeframe. Any insight anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[rkg]

Hi,

 

Has this piece been cleaned? Normally tsuba end up looking silverish in photographs due to lighting problems

(that patina is actually highly reflective), but I don't see enough dark spots to lead me to believe this in this case

(maybe its just the lack of caffeine this morning)

 

Also, do you have a little bit more of an "angle" shot so we can see the shape of the rim?

 

thx,

 

rkg

(Richard George)

[mdiddy]

Hey Richard,

 

Here are a couple of extra pics. I at least have not cleaned it but am not absolutely sure if it wasn't cleaned sometime in the past. The stain around the Seppa-dai seems healthily worn in. That said, in the light the tsuba is more dark grey than black and am thinking I jumped the gun suggesting it is Kyo. Let me know what you think and thanks for the help.

[Bugyotsuji]

Four birds? I like the design a lot.

[remzy]

Yes, this is a lovely birds design. Im afraid this tsuba was cleaned of mistreated