Choshu Tsuba, Tosho-Tsuba

[sabiji]

#1 Tsuba signed by Choshu Hagi ju sakonoshin Tomohisa
Fukiyose Ji-sukashi Maru-gata Tetsu-ji
7,4 cm x 7,1 x 5,0 mm 111,5 g
A potpourri of autumn leaves of pine, gingko, oak and maple. Pine needles and an oak branch form the edge of the tsuba. Fukiyose is a term for potpourri, but phonetically it also means success in one's career. The finely worked and engraved motif is typical of choshu tsuba but also bushu.
Tomohisa is a craftsman of the Yaji school. The tsuba has a chocolate brown patina with a distinct silver lustre. Late Edo period.

Here is a similar tsuba from MfA Boston.

https://collections.mfa.org/objects/13378

EUR 350,00 plus shipping.

 

 

#2 Tsuba Tosho Kukurizaru Kage-sukashi Maru-gata Tetsu-ji
8,8 cm x 3,0 mm 133,5 g
I bought this tsuba at an antique market in Kawagoe. The patina was not in good condition and I cleaned it from active rust. Now the patina needs some time again.
Of course there is the question of the age, but some things speak for an old piece. While one side is flat, the other side is very slightly convex, so that the tsuba is tapering from 3.5 mm on the seppa-dai to 3 mm on the mimi. The "heads" of the saru are irregular and not drilled. It is also noticeable that one side is more corroded than the other.  The result of long, one-sided and unprotected storage? Often swords in temples are stored standing up...
 What is most interesting, however, is that the motif on the Mu-Hitsu tsuba makes the most sense and is in the right position when the sword is carried with the edge down. So a tsuba of a late 16th century fighting sword worn like a tachi? 

Anyway, as Tosho tsuba are not my field, I offer the tsuba at the price I paid myself.
EUR 180.00 plus shipping

 

 

 

[sabiji]

Choshu Tomohisa is reserved, thank you.

[Marius]

PM sent re. tosho.

[sabiji]

Tosho is reserved.

[sabiji]

All sold, thank you!