Information on a tsuba.

[BjornLundin]

Hi all,

 

I really wanted to get this tsuba, but seller withdrawed the auction in the last minute. So anyone can give information of this one and what school so that I can search for a similar piece. 

 

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/l667744382?conversionType=mypage_closed_watch_list

 

 

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

I hate that Bjorn.  There are three I am watching now that keep doing that.  The seller lists, sees how high it gets, and pulls it with a minute left.  Then relists, starting at the last bid price.  Why not just list it for what the F you want to sell it for?

[BjornLundin]

Yea, it really destroyed my day, talk about anticlimax. Feels like a only in Japan thingy.

[ROKUJURO]

Björn,

the paper says HEIANJO TSUBA. They can be quite different, and the one you liked seems to have quite a rare design. HEIANJO is not a school, but more a style. It is said that the respective TSUBA makers sometimes used plain, non-decorated TSUBA or TSUBA blanks they had made by a smith to decorate it their way. 

There are two main ways they decorated these TSUBA: You will see flat inlay (HIRA ZOGAN as in 'your' TSUBA) or a slightly raised inlay. In most cases, brass is used as inlay metal, but I have also seen copper.  

If you remain interested in this type of TSUBA, take a close look at those that are for sale. Often, the later HEIANJO TSUBA have lost some of their brass inlay, and thus also a good bit of their market value.

[Stephen]

It's more like he's not happy with high bid.

Happens to me a lot.

I've seen simluar tsuba at three times that price.

[BjornLundin]

Hi, Monday again.

 

Found this one in my taste also. Yes My taste is strange. 

 

Tadatoki, Akasuka?  https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/t807045482?conversionType=mypage_watch_list

 

Got outbidded, so I was wondering if the piece warrents a higher price or if I should be happy to be outbidded.  

 

Best Björn

 

[ROKUJURO]

Björn,
it is indeed AKASAKA ( 元赤) (not Akasuka), and probably TADATOKI, fourth generation (died 1746). In my opinion, this is a nice TSUBA which I would like to own as well! As a plus, it has a good size (81,7 mm) and is in good condition.

It seems to be sold out of Japan, so the question arises why it has no papers. If it were an authentic signed TADATOKI TSUBA, I think it would cost much more than 15.500 YEN.

[BjornLundin]

Thank you Jean! 

 

Ah yes, Akasuka been there a few times. I guess the brain picks the stuff it remembers 👍

[Bugyotsuji]

赤 Aka is Red

坂 Saka is slope or slanting land, like in Osaka, (Big Slope)

 

So Akasaka is 'Red Slope'.

 

PS Not to be confused with Asakusa.

[BjornLundin]

Another One that sparked my interest.

 

I like the design and the dots. Anyone seen it before. The seller show a photo of a similar one in a Book.

 

And a Link for those who want to get it 😤

 

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/t807932927?conversionType=search_yac_browsing_hisotry_list

[ROKUJURO]

Björn,

it seems we have a similar taste! A nice ONIN TSUBA. That one might also be interesting for you as it is made in a traditional goldsmith's technique (dot inlay). I think I have seen a Ford Hallam video explaining how it is done.

ONIN TSUBA are thought to be a bit earlier than early HEIANJO TSUBA. Often, they have a rather thin plate. 

[BjornLundin]

Have been inspired a bit of this design with knobs, and gama hada, it is nice to work with your hands. 

[Japan2112]

The Onin tsuba looks nice and are not very often seen. See Shoubudo Ltd for a similar offering. Its ten zogan  (brass dots) loss is unfortunate and will affect its value. 

The Akasaka Tadatoki signature does not look like the yondai, or his work. In my opinion, it will most likely 5mm thick and therefore, kodai . The signature reminds me of the hachidai too bad the "Tada" kanji is so rough.