Unusual style - Shigeyoshi Tsuba

[Jorgensen]

I am seeking info on this Tsuba, signed Shigeyoshi (if translated correct). Its very, very beautiful in hand and seems of higher quality. I cant find any similar mei or examples/school anywhere. Most that I find is Umetada Shigeyoshi and is far away from this example.

 

Statement. My background for posting this, is I consider putting the tsuba for sale on my website (solely private sale of collection) and reason to I seek info is to provide th most accurate and honest description as possible to eventual buyers. However I am strongly considering keeping this one. I have not decided yet.

 

I hope you will enjoy the pictures and quality of those is OK.

 

 

[SteveM]

Yes, Shigeyoshi (稠良) is correct. Shigeyoshi + kaō. 

Late Edo period. He was based in Nagasaki.

 

This rotted wood with spider web is a theme that was discussed recently on the forum. A popular theme.

 

Check out the entry below for more background info. 

https://www.metmuseu...lection/search/25690 

[FlorianB]

Nice little one! Dimensions?

In my view it looks like a worn strawhat (kasa).

 

Best, Florian

[Brian]

Pretty impressive tsuba! I like it a lot. Congrats

[Steves87]

Wangata? Or are my eyes playing tricks? The guard is excellent!

[vajo]

Sandogasa 

 

[Spartancrest]

Florian and Chris have it - a Kasa - a guard very like it from the National Museum of Scotland [Japanese arms section] number A.1895.202    -  https://www.nms.ac.u...results/tsuba/309815

[A nice collection of some very good quality tsuba but unfortunately many without images available.] [I have copied what is available amounting to 103 tsuba - personal reference material. ]

Kasa (hat)

Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Kasa_(hat)

Takuhatsugasa (托鉢笠): a Buddhist mendicant's kasa. A woven rice-straw kasa worn by mendicant Buddhist monks, the takuhatsugasa is made overlarge and in a bowl shape.

 

Description: Tsuba or sword guard of iron, sukashi work with shakudo plugged rio-hitsu, with a tattered woven sun-hat: Japan, Inaba province, made by Suruga, late 18th century.

[Jorgensen]

Thank you all for your invaluable help and kind words

 

@SteveM
Thank you very much for the info, its awesome and have noted it. I cant find anything in my books, if you have more info on this Shigeyoshi you can share with me, I will be very greatful.

 

@FlorianB
You was right! As well as @vajo and Dimensions is as follows: 

73 mm X 66 mm X 4 mm at nakago ana

 

@Brian and @Steves87 
Thank you, I m glad you like it. Yes, its Wangata (concave) in shape

 

@Spartancrest
That is awesome info and picture of tsuba. Very similar in expression, yet very different. Thank you very much

 

 

[SteveM]

Very interesting. I didn't think of kasa, but yes this is obviously (now, in hindsight ) what it is. Another learning experience. 

 

@Jorgensen Wakayama just says he worked in high-relief, colored metals, inlay, and hammered textured and cloth textured ironwork. The entry notes he died at the age of 62 (year unknown). He is the only smith whose name begins with this somewhat rare kanji of 稠. (p.463)