Looking for comment on this tsuba

[Chriso]

G'day all,

A while back i picked up a Wakizashi that I'm lead to believe is probably Koto era. It was suggested that the tsuka was much younger at around late Edo. The Tsuba has got my interest in that it is a very simpe design with brass Zogan on both sides but it also has a distinct line on both sides which from a distance look like cuts or slashes but from closer inspection look more like forging marks. These cuts or slashes or what ever they are do not correspond with one another as the sit just below the inlay, top on one side and bottom on the other.

 

I would be very greatful if the brains trust could give me their opinion as to era, school and what those marks could be....

 

Regards and best

 

Chris O

[Chriso]

G'day all,

I'm feeling a bit lost out here. Any help would be greatfully received.

 

best

 

Chris O

[Ford Hallam]

G'day Chris

 

Let's see if I can ease your suffering

 

First off I think the diagonal lines one each side of the tsuba are simply design elements that have been carved into the steel. Whether purely as a device to set the blossoms against or whether to suggest the edge of something is open to interpretation.

 

The steel quality seems quite homogeneous to me, despite the apparent rough texture. I suspect that the surface has been created by mechanical means such as hammering, punching and chiselling. The need to work the steel in this way to create an interesting surface as opposed to treating the metal in such a way as to reveal the inherent qualities in the steel itself leads me to suggest a later Edo period date.

 

The motif of plum blossom is often associated with the Umetada group, Ume actually means plum ( in reality a Japanese apricot...but that's a whole other story ) The style of modelling of the blossoms and the overall feel feel of the tsuba, and the design, wouldn't be too out of place with late work by this group.

 

So I tentatively suggest a late Edo Umetada work. Fairly decent condition, reasonable quality workmanship and quite appealing design.

 

regards,

 

Ford

[Chriso]

Thanks very much for your help on this one Ford. I must admit that I do like the simplicity of this design, and It's nice to know that it is one worth keeping.

I've recently purchased a couple of good books that I'm finding facinating reading (Tsuba an aesthetic study and Early Japanese sword guards - Sasano 1972) but I think it is going to be some time before I'm comfortable making a call on any piece.

 

Cheers

 

Chris O