First post - Opinion on Sōten style tsuba

[thutson]

Hello,

 

After visiting Japan last year I became very interested in Japanese culture and history. Since then I have been trying to learn and understand more about Japanese tsuba and the beautiful workmanship that goes into making them and this forum is an excellent source of information.

 

I recently took the plunge and bought this piece that appealed to me. The pictures aren’t the best and I’m not sure when I’ll get my hands on it with the current postal situation. However I was wondering if I could ask for peoples opinion on the piece. I believe it’s a Sōten tsuba and that the Mei reads Gōshū Hikone jū  Sōheishi Nyūdō Sōten sei. I’ve read that are lot of gimei Sōten style tsuba so I’d be interested to know what people think of this one.

 

I’d also appreciate any advice on the best ways to clean and preserve it. I’ve read that using soapy warm water and a soft brush seems like a common method.

 

Best regards,

Tom Hutson

 

[Tanto54]

Dear Tom,

 

Welcome to the addicting World of Tosogu!  This looks like a much better acquisition than many of us started with.  With some careful cleanup and attention to the active rust, this could look great.  Just search for care and cleaning tips on this site and you will find lots of posts (get an antler or old peice of ivory and get to work - slow and careful - avoid the gold and other inlay areas).  I can't be sure from the pictures, but I think that this depicts Yoshitsune and Benkei fighting down the cliffs in the famous battle of Ichi-No-Tani in the Gempei Wars.

[Steves87]

Hi Tom,

Great first Tsuba!

As per a recent post in an active thread here, ignore the signature and look at the work and plate as a whole.

This will clean up great with time and patience

[Spartancrest]

Tom 

As George says you can eventually remove the rust with antler or ivory, I make my own 'cleaners' from long cuts from thick cow bone which when boiled for an hour will last  indefinitely. These three types are used because while they will remove active rust they won't scratch the solid iron. I also agree don't play with the gold areas. The guard looks very nice with a heck of a lot of detail, you are starting with a fine example.

[thutson]

Thank you for the replies,

I'm looking forward to examining the all detail first hand and it looks like I've got quite the project on my hands to slowly and steadily remove the active rust and clean it up. I'll see if I can get my hands on an old piano key but if not tool you made from cow bone looks perfect. On the back of the tuba one of the samurai faces has turned green through oxidation, would you recommend trying to remove this?

 

I've also been reading up on Yoshitsune, Benkei and the battle of Ichi-No-Tani, it's very cool if it's depicting this famous battle, I'm even more chuffed with my first tsuba!

[Ford Hallam]

While using ivory or bone to rub away rust is a common approach (I don't always agree that it won't scratch the underlying patina or iron though as the rust can be harder but that's another debate) I would suggest that in this case it might be unwise.

 

The nunome overlay is often quite delicate once rust gets going so it can easily be lost during cleaning and restoration. Similarly the soft metal inlays, faces and hands etc, seem to be in good shape in terms of the actual sculpting so there again great care must be taken not to lose any of that original form while dealing with oxides and verdigris. I only mention these points here because this one looks to be a pretty decent example, signed, and as yet untouched by over-enthusiastic hands. A lot of original information is too often lost or overlooked when pieces are 'cleaned up'.

[thutson]

Thank you for the advice,

 

I do feel a bit apprehensive about using bone or ivory on this tsuba, especially without at least practicing on something else first. I would hate to damage it but at the same time I'm concerned that the active rust is slowly corroding the piece. Do you think just applying some chogi oil onto the active rust areas will help protect it from further corrosion? Or do you think using a professional restorer would be a better option? Or is it just best to leave it as it is.

[b.hennick]

Or you could ask Ford about doing a restoration for you.

[Brian]

Get a quote. Ford may be willing, or might suggest one of his students. Alternatively, make sure you do put some oil on it to prevent further rust. Not always recommended, but in this case yes.

[thutson]

I think this is a great idea. I only just watched the videos on Ford's YouTube channel and his work is astonishing, he's an incredibility talented and skilled craftsman.