Any insight on this style/school?

[Oshy]

Anyone have insight into this style/school? Assuming Edo?

Any translator have to get anything from the NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho paper?

 

 

[Brian]

Wow.....now these are unusual. I would have said Etruscan wire work if it didn't have papers.
I see some slight resemblance to my mystery menuki here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/15810-odd-and-unusual-menuki-beautiful-work/

Love to hear what Ford would say about these.

[Oshy]

Thanks Brian, I can see some resemblance with the wire and bead work, quite interesting!

[Oshy]

Owner says Filgree/arabesque but curious what the NBTHK reads.

[Ken-Hawaii]

I don't recognize the school, either, but I really like the workmanship.

[Spartancrest]

It looks like the Hirata school - who forgot to include the enamel - is it possible it is unfinished work?

[Oshy]

Your referring to something like this? Wire work looks a bit similar without the beads but not sure about that given the rest of the matching fitments which I dont think would receive enamel like a tsuba would?

[Spartancrest]

Some Hirata had only partial fills of enamel. So perhaps only the closed portions would have been enameled? Just an idea.

[SalaMarcos]

In the MET you've some similar work:

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/35205?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ft=tsuba&offset=880&rpp=80&pos=945

 

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25727?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ft=tsuba&offset=960&rpp=80&pos=965

[Oshy]

Good find, thank you!

[jason_mazzy]

Ah, so you're the purchase of that set.

[Oshy]

Yep

 

 

[Oshy]

+

[vajo]

Looks like unfilled with enamel.

 

Overall very cool.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Agreed, Doesn't need enamel to be outstanding work. Good buy, Mike.

[Oshy]

Thanks for the kind words! From the incredibly intricate wire/bead work to the high quality samegawa, detailed dragon menuki, well done Ito and saya, I am very happy with this ebay purchase   Kogatana blade aside(wish I could make out the mei), there isnt a scratch, ding or blemish to be found.

[Spartancrest]

Mike there is a similar style guard in the Metropolitan Museum no. 91.1.807 it has the same raised wire effect with some very minimal enamel spots. - I was going through my book, 'Tsuba in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Vol. 1' and came across it on page 64.

[Oshy]

Thank Dale, appreciate the link, it was one provided further above as well 

[Bugyotsuji]

The paper is on its side and the description is in the fold Mike, but it says 鐔　菊唐草図　赤銅地　‘Tsuba Kiku Karakusa Zu. Shakudo Ji’

[Oshy]

Yep, that's what I have shown in the translation picture too

[Spartancrest]

An almost identical guard to that of the original post is going for auction soon on  https://www.jauce.com/auction/v706865241

With some enamel spots.  The design turned 90 degrees.