copper tsuba - age ?

[Shuko]

Can anyone advise me about this copper tsuba as I am unsure of its age and if it is Japanese made. My guess is it is 1930 - 1960 and Japanese.

 

Thanks in advance.

[ROKUJURO]

Clive,

are you sure about it being copper? Tried with a magnet?

My guess is that it might indeed be recent in case it was really copper. Modern casting technology would have been necessary for these fine structures 

[Shuko]

Hi Jean

 

I haven't bought it yet, only some photos to look at so I could easily be wrong on what metal it is made from. The metal gap filler at the end of the nakago-ana seems to be some silver alloy instead of the normally used copper. The 'green' water corrosion in one place indicates copper to me.

 

Learning about tsuba is a world of its own on top of blade knowledge.

 

cheers

Clive

[Geraint]

Dear Clive.

 

If this was something I was looking to buy I would conclude that you are spot on with the date and that someone has swopped out the original tsuba and replaced it with an iai one to complete the set.

Doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it, just a heads up to think about replacing it at some stage.

If you do but it let us know how it turns out.

 

All the best.

[ROKUJURO]

Geraint is probably right.

[Shuko]

Thanks for the advice, will inform you if I end up buying it.