Help with "Musashi" style tsuba

[Dan tsuba]

Hello all,

 

I can use your assistance.  I am thinking about purchasing the “Musashi” (I believe it is referred to as Namako) style tsuba shown in the pictures below.

It is difficult for me to tell if it is a “fake”, if it is an authentic and old tsuba, a new copy, or something else.  Should I just "pass" on it?

 

Your help is appreciated!

 

With respect,

Dan

[Brian]

I would pass. Patina and texture is horrid. Shape is awkward.

 

[Geraint]

Dear Dan.

 

Heed Brian's advice!  Because of the association with Musashi this design has been endlessly copied and is widely available in the martial arts fraternity.  Look at the shape of the seppa dai, the awkward shaping at the top and bottom and the fact that the punch marks around the nakago ana seem to be the same on both sides.  My suspicion is that this is a reproduction that has had a hard life or been deliberatley aged.

 

Have a look at some papered examples and compare, see what you think.

 

All the best.

[zanilu]

I do agree with the previous comments.

Probably a fake in very potrebbe conditions. 

 

Better pass it on...

 

Regards

Luca

[Toryu2020]

Pass

[Katsujinken]

Hard pass!