Tsuba - NBTHK Attribution

[Dr Nihonto]

Dear Friends

 

I have had this tsuba for a number of years (mounted as part of a koshirae that came with a blade I purchased). I am not a tosogu collector but am interested to know more about this piece. I would be very grateful if anyone could provide some information on the NBTHK attribution.

 

Many thanks,

Costas

[uwe]

It’s written “無名-肥前” (mumei, attributed to Hizen). 

[Mikaveli]

Well, written as 無銘 肥前 at the bottom of the second sentence from the right. Just in case the OP was trying to find those characters on the certificate.

 

無銘 and 無名 are both read mumei, and can mean unsigned. But 銘 specifically means inscription or signature, whereas 名 is name (無名 - literally "nameless").

 

[Bazza]

Dear Costas, this tsuba comes under the wangata umbrella - a concave tsuba.  There is some useful information here:

https://www.mandarin...-gata-tsuba-kunihiro

 

BaZZa.

[Shugyosha]

Hi Costas,

A bit more to fill in the gaps:

 

一倶利伽羅図鐔 – Item – Kurikara zu tsuba – Rain dragon design

木瓜椀形 – Mokko wan gata – lobed bowl shape

鉄地 – Kurogane ji – iron ground

布目象嵌 – Nunome zogan – nunome technique inlay

丸耳 – Maru mimi – round rim.

[Dr Nihonto]

Thank you all so much for your time and expertise! It is very much appreciated