Choshu?

[Brian]

Hi all,

Another iron one that found its way back with me in my luggage from Japan. Nothing great, but it also has its charms. I just wanted to confirm or deny my call of Choshu on this one if possible?

 

Brian

[loiner1965]

http://tsuba.jyuluck-do.com/ChoshuTsuba.html

looks in the same style imho

[Brian]

Thanks Steve, looks like it is likely Kawaji Choshu school.

 

Brian

[John A Stuart]

I don't know Brian. The carving and mimi remind me more of the Sunagawa Masayoshi school works, although the carving isn't as meticulous as that school usually produces. John

[docliss]

Dear Brian

 

In my humble opinion, your tsuba is indeed typical of Chōshū work of the C19, with its black patination, obvious Bushū influence and lack of any ornamentation. It is rather better than many of the rather similar works that we see, with its very forceful -almost marubori - carving; the variation between the two surfaces; and with parts of the carving appearing to be proud of the surface. I personally find the characteristics of the Chōshū schools so alike that it is virtually impossible to distinguish between them, especially in such later work. Kawaji perhaps, but it could equally be by any one of the other schools.

 

Regards, John L.

[Mike]

It is hard to tell the differences between Bushu and Chosu sukashi tsuba due the influence of Bushu style on Chosu tsubako. IMHO this is Bushu tsuba, I can not put my finger exactly why, but I have seen some very similar Bushu tsuba, and maybe because the differences in the design on each side of this tsuba, while Choshu sukashi tsuba tend to have similar design on each side. Mike

[Grey Doffin]

Good Choshu iron has a blue black color.

About all I know. Grey