zanilu Posted February 12, 2023 Report Posted February 12, 2023 Dear All I have recently bought this tsuba from Yahoo Japan. Dimentions 83.5 mm x 80.4 mm, thickness 5.3 mm. It was more from an impulse rather than a thought out acquisition, but I like the design and it is a nice addition to my collection to broaden its scope. I was wondering whether it is possible to narrow down the attribution to one of the many Shoami branches and thus to give a better estimation of the period of production. Shoami is not my main line of study so I would appreciate id any of you can share kantei points to help in a better attribution. Thank you in advance Best Regards Luca 4 Quote
kissakai Posted February 12, 2023 Report Posted February 12, 2023 Hi Luca Generally you have the Shoami school and the variations like, Aizu Shoami, Iyo Shoami etc The variations have a distinctive style and your is not from one of these style. It may be Kyo Shoami (somewhere to start looking) and they can be a similar size, circa 1700 but the side opening (hitsuana) is more of a 'squashed' shape than yours The correct colour never comes out well in images which is a shame It has been remounted a few times which is always a good sign Hopefully someone more of experience will add their input. 2 Quote
Grevedk Posted February 13, 2023 Report Posted February 13, 2023 Hi Luca, A similar design from the Cleveland Museum of Art. @Spartancrest might be able to expand both photo and information as the wizard he is 😎👍 Hope that help a little bit in your search. All the best Soren 2 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted February 13, 2023 Report Posted February 13, 2023 Nice design. I had the same question concerning mine but I cannot narrow it much further than the information above. ”Hayashi design duplicated by Akasaka 6th generation?” Suggested by Mark Ceskavich here on NMB. (Or Shoami) Mine is smaller at 7.0 x 6.5 x 0.4 cm 2 Quote
Spartancrest Posted February 13, 2023 Report Posted February 13, 2023 I can't add anything else to the Cleveland Museum one - that museum is pretty poor on information. Another in the N.S.W. Art Gallery collection with a heavier rim - no real information on that site either. https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/439.1996/ I rather like the free flowing look of Luca's example very similar to the Cleveland. The other examples are rather rigid in their repeated pattern. You might have to add Chôshû to your list of possibilities this rather attractive one from the Museum of Fine Arts Boston https://collections.mfa.org/objects/11367/tsuba-with-design-of-cherryblossom-and-net-pattern 2 Quote
kissakai Posted February 13, 2023 Report Posted February 13, 2023 Piers, I had one similar to yours. The post shows the form of the net to be quite rectangular in form which is different to the additional images which show the normal net shape No images yet show this same rectangular net shape 1 Quote
zanilu Posted February 13, 2023 Author Report Posted February 13, 2023 Thak you all guys! A lot to ponder! The small web of the net and the small rim make me think of Kyoto sukashi, so the suggestion of kyo shohami sounds reasonable... As Grev pointed out the net elements in my tsuba are more rectangular and uniform in shape than those of the other examples. interesting point. If other information is available please feel free to add... Regards Quote
Spartancrest Posted February 16, 2023 Report Posted February 16, 2023 One here with elongated net openings - thicker rim not as fine as Luca's example. https://www.aoijapan.com/tsubamumeijudged-as-akasakanbthk-hozon-paper-3/ Tsuba: (NBTHK Hozon Paper) Mei (signature): Mumei (judged as Akasaka) 2 Quote
zanilu Posted February 16, 2023 Author Report Posted February 16, 2023 Thank you Dale. The net opening are more elongated compared to the previous example. If I am forced to find a difference I would say that the opening are more rectangular. Regards Luca 1 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.