Help with info on tsuba

[outlier48]

Hi all - would appreciate any input that can help me classify this tusba. I think it might be an Edo period Higo tsuba (perhaps from the late 1700's?). The color of the tsuba in the photo is reasonably accurate except that the gold inlay is richer on the tsuba compared to the photo. Texture is visibly discernable and is semi-smooth to the touch. I think the pattern is a combination of spider web (inlaid) and vines. The shape seems to be a slight variation of mokko gata. Edge is maru mimi. The dimensions are 7cm x 7.5cm x .4cm. There is no mei.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Charlie Brashear

[Michael 101]

I dont think you are going to get much further information to what you have already worked out for this tsuba. I also think later Higo would be a good call, perhaps more 1800's than any earlier.

 

Its doesnt appear to be any particular mainline school like Shimizu etc and the theme was common across all Higo works so no help here either.

 

Looks a nice tsuba.

 

Kind regards

Michael

[outlier48]

Michael - thanks for your input. You are probably correct on all accounts.

 

Regards,

 

 

Charlie Brashear

[Mark Green]

Hi Charlie,

I think your tsuba may be two gourds that are still on the fall vine???

The web looks very nice. but made to look old and broken.

Just a thought.

I like it!

Mark G

[outlier48]

Hi Mark - Thanks for the input. I never thought of the web being made to look broken and I certainly did not see the gourds. A case of "lock on - lock out" on my part, I guess Frankly, I'm not certain if or how much I like this piece. I'll give it a bit more study now that I have your thoughts.

 

Regards,

 

Charlie Brashear

[Curran]

Worm trailed 2 gourds. Broken spiderwebs.

 

I do not know to what this is an allusion. I usually think of the gourd (or golden gourds at least) as a symbol of victory. I can only hazard a guess of "old victories" or "victories past", but then maybe it is just 2 gourds forgotten in the cellar.... a seasonal theme.

 

Could be late Higo, though also tempting to just say Shoami. Unfortunately, they don't whisper the answer late at night.

[Bazza]

Were not Golden Gourds the mon of Hideyoshi???? Probably no association, or there would be three gourds??

 

Barry Thomas.

[remzy]

Gourds often serve as a reminder that human have to be careful not to grow crooked and always remain straight, the spinerweb and worm bites "might" represent old age.

 

Or as stated, it might only be a season theme.

[Clive Sinclaire]

Gentlemen

Sorry that I am a bit late into this thread, but you may consider the poor old Aizu Shoami school, someone like Shigenobu?

Clive Sinclaire

[Marc BROQUIN]

Hello all,

I agree with the track of Clive.

The general form of the tsuba may perhaps let think to Higo work, by a "certain" way, but the traces of a worm on each gourd let me think to AIZU SHOAMI, a certain tsubako named SHOAMI SHIGENOBU and particularly to the third one because of soft metal inclusions. Of course he is not (to my knowledge) known for vegetal representations like those gourds, but he has not very often changed his way of carving with worm traces. His tsubas are often pierced with sukashi in various designs.

This is only an idea to bring, as we say, water to the mill.

Friendly yours

Marc

[outlier48]

Thanks to everyone who posted a reply! I am somewhat less confused than when I first posted this request . I will try to utilize each of your ideas as a comb through whatever printed and electronic inforamation I can find as I look for further clarification. Certainly gaining the knowledge that the themes of gourds, vines, webs, etc has been valuable. Here is a pic of the other side of this tsuba which I think shows the gourd and web themes very well. Sorry it took so long to post.

 

I appreciate all the thoughtful input.

 

Charlie Brashear

[Mark Green]

Wow, the web is on both sides! I like it even more now.

Very nice, powerful, little tsuba.