drjoe Posted January 25, 2020 Report Posted January 25, 2020 I’ve been on a hunt to find some mokume tsuba to study and ended up with a handful. I love the “organic” style of this type on tsuba and marvel at how they were constructed... I gather they are "folded" soft/hard iron and then etched to bring out the surface texture.First, I was lucky to separately locate what is effectively a “daisho” pair in my favorite “spiral” style.The larger one is signed Sashu ju Toshisada and is therefore presumably from the 3rd generation Sanzaemon lineage of Sado Island smiths who often worked in this style.The smaller one is mumei, but seems very similar.More to follow below. 6 Quote
drjoe Posted January 25, 2020 Author Report Posted January 25, 2020 Next, an unusual “tortoise shell” variety.The signature seems to be either worn away or removed, with another on the reverse side that may be Bushu ju Michimasa though I suspect it could be gimei. 4 Quote
drjoe Posted January 25, 2020 Author Report Posted January 25, 2020 Here’s one signed Myochin Ki Munekazu or Munemasa. A good example from the well known Myochin school. 3 Quote
drjoe Posted January 25, 2020 Author Report Posted January 25, 2020 Finally, two more... One signed Myochin Ki Moritsugu and another mumei. 1 Quote
drjoe Posted January 25, 2020 Author Report Posted January 25, 2020 These obviously have some wear and pictures are not the greatest -- they all look better in hand.Any corrections to my translations are appreciated. Quote
Kurikata Posted January 25, 2020 Report Posted January 25, 2020 a lot of information in this thread:http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/27069-iron-mokume-new-addition/?hl=mokume 1 Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted January 26, 2020 Report Posted January 26, 2020 Joe, I really like your "tortoise-shell" tsuba. My tortoises approve, too, although they insist they're not related. 4 Quote
Peter Bleed Posted January 26, 2020 Report Posted January 26, 2020 I see the first signature as Bushu ju, SUKEMASA saku Peter Quote
drjoe Posted January 26, 2020 Author Report Posted January 26, 2020 I see the first signature as Bushu ju, SUKEMASA saku Peter Doesn’t seem so... here’s some better pictures of both sides (sorry, not sure why they want to post sideways) Quote
drjoe Posted January 26, 2020 Author Report Posted January 26, 2020 Could it be MICHIMASA? P yes, assuming we're talking about the "tortoise shell" tsuba, Michimasa was the original translation (see above). what I'd really love to know is that the other side says; something makes me think it's the real mei. Kiyo - something - something it seems. Quote
Teimei Posted January 26, 2020 Report Posted January 26, 2020 Thats a great collection Joe! I am also a big fan of mokume, especialy from Sado and Kishu (Sankei) Sado Toshisada 7,5 x 7,4 x 0,4cm Kishu Sankei 2 tanto sized and a big one regards, 4 Quote
Pete Klein Posted January 26, 2020 Report Posted January 26, 2020 As long as we're having show and tell here is one I have: Tori Fu no Ju Masamitsu, Inaba Province, Haynes 4198 2 Quote
drjoe Posted January 26, 2020 Author Report Posted January 26, 2020 Thats a great collection Joe! I am also a big fan of mokume, especialy from Sado and Kishu (Sankei) Sado Toshisada 7,5 x 7,4 x 0,4cm toshi1.jpg toshi4.jpg Kishu Sankei 2 tanto sized and a big one sankei_neri1.jpg Sankei_paar.jpg regards, I found your Toshisada in my online searches and liked it a lot -- it might be my favorite example. I was lucky to find one very similar. Quote
Brian Posted January 26, 2020 Report Posted January 26, 2020 Wow Pete, that tsuba is amazing. Really speaks to me on many levels. Congrats, and if it ever leaves the nest.....Brian 3 Quote
Vermithrax16 Posted January 27, 2020 Report Posted January 27, 2020 Love mokume tsuba! Great pics all! Sold all of mine to fund other buys, but always looking to add one, great tsuba. Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted January 27, 2020 Report Posted January 27, 2020 Hard to find, but well worth the search. Quote
roger dundas Posted January 28, 2020 Report Posted January 28, 2020 If the tin whistle player in the philharmonic orchestra can ask a question (I feel that way at times reading and viewing what the members know and have) - drjoes mokume tsuba appear quite pale in the pictures and I was wondering if it is the photos or are they in fact more grey than black or dark at least ? merci drjoe Roger d Quote
drjoe Posted January 28, 2020 Author Report Posted January 28, 2020 If the tin whistle player in the philharmonic orchestra can ask a question (I feel that way at times reading and viewing what the members know and have) - drjoes mokume tsuba appear quite pale in the pictures and I was wondering if it is the photos or are they in fact more grey than black or dark at least ? merci drjoe Roger d it's just suboptimal (actually too much) lighting. Quote
peterd Posted March 21, 2020 Report Posted March 21, 2020 Hi, just bought this today (cheap). I thought it might be of some interest as i have not seen many sukashi mokume tsuba. 4 Quote
drjoe Posted March 21, 2020 Author Report Posted March 21, 2020 Hi, just bought this today (cheap). I thought it might be of some interest as i have not seen many sukashi mokume tsuba. didn't think i'd like if when I saw the description on email, but as i see it now, that's pretty cool Quote
Stephen Posted March 21, 2020 Report Posted March 21, 2020 Does any one think it was cut out later? Quote
peterd Posted March 21, 2020 Report Posted March 21, 2020 Dimensions 69mm by 71mm and 6mm. I think this would have been a unusualy heavy tsuba for its size if not sukashi. 1 Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted March 22, 2020 Report Posted March 22, 2020 I like it, Peter. I'm sure it looks great in hand. Quote
Teimei Posted July 7, 2020 Report Posted July 7, 2020 My first myochin piece just arrived at my doorstep (lucky day! no taxes no custom fees ). dimensions: 8,2 x 8,0 x 0,4 cm regards, 1 Quote
drjoe Posted July 8, 2020 Author Report Posted July 8, 2020 Interesting example. “Sugata” is similar to another one I picked up. BTW if anyone is interested in buying the non-spiral ones above, send me a PM and make an offer. Quote
Japan2112 Posted July 11, 2020 Report Posted July 11, 2020 Here are two Akaska mokume tsuba. The first is a ji sukashi by the sandai, Tadatora - no acid enhancement, and yes that long, lower hiki bar is 0.91 mm wide with 3 layer construction. The second is hachidai Tadatoki - a very close match to that in Chic Sukashi Akasaka Tsuba by Sano Museum. 3 Quote
Surfson Posted July 12, 2020 Report Posted July 12, 2020 I love these mokume mud pies as well. Here is one in my collection - not sure if I have shared it in the past. I have never submitted it, or studied it for that matter, and am wide open to opinions about it. I have always assumed that it is a genuine Myochin, but you know what they say about assumptions. 2 Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted July 13, 2020 Report Posted July 13, 2020 Both very nice. Wish more of these came up for sale. Quote
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