Echizen Kinai

[cspage]

Here’s a tsuba that appears to have the standard “Echizen Ju Kinai Saku” mei. If anyone has any further info or opinions on this tsuba, I’d be more than interested in your observations. The tsuba has a nice ring when struck and due to the mei being somewhat worn, I suspect it is quite elderly. I’ve read the info on Malcom Cox’s website but didn’t find any insight toward this particular tsuba. Thanks all.

68mm x 68mm x 4mm

[Brian]

Hi.... C?

Just wanted to mention that the old test of how a tsuba rings when struck has been proven to be fairly worthless nowdays. In the old days, they thought a good ring indicated good steel but it has been shown that many poor tsuba have a good ring to them too. So it is not really an indicator of anything.

Cast tsuba sometimes have a different sound, and I am sure say something to experts, but that is not to say that a good "ring" indicates good steel.

Perhaps someone with more experience will have more to say on this subject.

 

Brian

[John A Stuart]

I am afraid I am one who flicks a tsuba to hear a ring. This is not to assess the steel, but, to determine if it might be cracked. I think I got in the habit with porcelain. Those kikuhana sukashi tsuba that have the petals individually inserted will not ring, I have found, if loose. John

[Brian]

John,

I think there is merit to that too. Probably other things that can be told from that test too, my main point was it isn't a conclusive test of steel quality

 

Brian

[cspage]

Good to know. Thank you, all. Being a former potter, the sound of a solid pot, without cracks or internal flaws, probably led me to value the sound more than it should be. I have next to no experience with metal. I certainly appreciate your knowledge. But...that ring is still nice to hear, so I may still still flick a fingernail now and then. Maybe the next tsuba I post will be the one I have that doesn't have a satisfying ring and see what's what about it. Thanks again.

[John A Stuart]

Kinai tsuba had a few smiths that signed similarily and it is hard to know which generation this could be. The first generation was early Edojidai and the age can indicate who it might be. If legitimate your tsuba looks older. These can be made look older by forcing corrosion, but, I have a kinai that looks similar agewise, 2nd gen. John

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

 

Maybe i'm wrong, but it looks cast.

[drbvac]

Here is a tsuba by Kinai of Echizen that has their one of their standard themes the dragon. The carving is fairly sharp!

[docliss]

I am afraid that I must agree with Jacques D. regarding his suspicions that this tsuba has been cast. The webbing between the leaves; the rounded shape of the apertures between the leaves and the mimi at 10-11 o’clock; the appearance of the seppa-dai; and the lack of sharpness in the mei, which should persist in spite of the apparent wear, all support me in this contention. Sorry ….

 

Regards, John L.

[John A Stuart]

Sure and I thought it was just dirt and rust pitting. Could be. John

[cspage]

I'm not really disappointed. I am here to learn and the opinions and observations are really helpful. I can certainly see the points for casting and now I have to find out more about cast tsubas. In any case, while perhaps not the most craftlike of tsubas, it still has a nice look and feel to it, even if cast. It certainly is hefty, nice patina, and the design, while perhaps derived from the real thing, is still nifty. Thanks. Always welcome more opinions.

[Jean]

The tsuba has a nice ring

 

Could it be possible to write a Tsuba symphony in e-flat

 

Sorry I could not resist

[cspage]

In the interest of education and discussion, and possibly of driving a subject into the ground, here are a couple of shots of the mimi of this tsuba. Perhaps there is some evidence here that may shed further light, one way or the other, on the cast question. I must say that the tsuba has a nice feel in the hand (no jokes, please) and is as substantial as any other "authentic" tsuba I've held. Just throwing things out there. Thanks again.

 

Colin