Two nice iron tsuba (Umetada and "Nobuie")

[Katsujinken]

I have two charming iron tsuba that are ready for their next home. Asking $600 each or $1000 for the pair. Free insured shipping in the USA and insured international shipping at cost. And of course a donation to NMB if they sell here! Please feel free to contact me with questions.

 

The first is mumei and has NBTHK Hozon attributing it to the Umetada school. It's about 6.5cm in diameter. Includes the kanteisho and a nice modern kiri box.

 

The second is a true katana tsuba signed Nobuie, but is most likely later Myochin work. Includes the fabric pouch.

 

[PietroParis]

I had noticed the Umetada on eBay, kudos for offering it at a discount to NMB members!

[Katsujinken]

12 hours ago, PietroParis said:

I had noticed the Umetada on eBay, kudos for offering it at a discount to NMB members!

But of course! With eBay I expect it to sit for a long time and price it accordingly. 
 

NMB should always get the best prices. :-) 

[Katsujinken]

Bump, with a price drop! :-)

 

$500 each or $900 for the pair. 
 

Cheers. 

[Katsujinken]

Bump to the top, thanks :-)

[Katsujinken]

Bump! Open to offers. :-) 

[Katsujinken]

The Umetada tsuba is sold. 

[Katsujinken]

Bump! When both tsuba are sold I will make a donation to the board. 

[Katsujinken]

Bump for a happy new year! The later myochin tsuba ("Nobuie") is still available for $500. 

 

This should appeal to any martial artist as the grape leaves carved into the surface represent a play on the word "budo"!

[jrshinn]

On the description on eBay you say it’s gourds but here you say grape. I don’t have a strong eye for the different types of plants so can you please clarify. Thank you! Beautiful tsuba. 

[Katsujinken]

Hi Jason,

 

The sukashi (cut outs) are gourds, and the engravings on the plate are grape leaves. 

 

Thanks!

Michael

[Surfson]

Are you sure the papers say Umetada?  If so, the first kanji is atypical.

[Katsujinken]

1 hour ago, Surfson said:

Are you sure the papers say Umetada?  If so, the first kanji is atypical.

I admit the handwriting is a bit funky, but I do see 埋忠 (as did the Japanese dealer who originally sold it to me). 
 

We’re all fallible though!

[Surfson]

Hahah, yes, and I am among those ranks (of the fallible).  I can't see the mei on the tsuba well.  The papers clearly don't say Umetada however....

[Katsujinken]

The tsuba is mumei. What do you see on the papers? The tsuba is already sold, but I’m happy to have the correction. 
 

I thought these kanji were Umetada:

 

 

[PietroParis]

FWIW, the two kanji between 無銘 (mumei) and what you read as 埋忠 (Umetada) are 後代 (kodai), i.e. "later generation".

[Katsujinken]

1 minute ago, PietroParis said:

FWIW, the two kanji between 無銘 (mumei) and what you read as 埋忠 (Umetada) are 後代 (kodai), i.e. "later generation".

Yes, that was my understanding as well. 

[Surfson]

埋　This is the typical ume kanji

[Katsujinken]

1 hour ago, Surfson said:

埋　This is the typical ume kanji

So what kanji do you see? I’m honestly asking because this is a bit puzzling. Could this not just be a case of funky penmanship?

[Jussi Ekholm]

I think it is indeed Umetada but using these kanji - 梅忠

 

See few references here: (unfortunately couldn't find NBTHK paper for mumei using this kanji fast)

https://www.kandatoukodo.com/tousougu/tsuba42.html

https://tokka.biz/fittings/TS720.html

[Katsujinken]

19 minutes ago, Jussi Ekholm said:

I think it is indeed Umetada but using these kanji - 梅忠

 

See few references here: (unfortunately couldn't find NBTHK paper for mumei using this kanji fast)

https://www.kandatoukodo.com/tousougu/tsuba42.html

https://tokka.biz/fittings/TS720.html

Interesting, thanks Jussi! Maybe  it’s a later generation thing? Never a dull moment in this hobby. :-P

[SteveM]

 

This is a good explanation. 

 

https://markussesko.com/2018/07/08/altering-tsuba-signatures/

 

The text on the Tokka site explains this as well, so Markus's explanation (and David's comment) also serve as a good translation of what is on the Tokka site. Not a word-for-word translation, but the explanations are the same. 

 

 

 

[Katsujinken]

But of course! Thank you Steve. And thank you Robert for spurring an interesting discussion. 
 

There is always more to learn. 

[Surfson]

Very interesting!