Tell me something about this tsuba

[Mikaveli]

Hi all,

 

So, I know even less about tosogu than I do about blades.

 

I'd like to know about this tsuba. Age / era, relative quality, etc. Any relevant - as at some point, it's a field of collecting I'm interested in.

 

To me, it doesn't appear especially high-end, but obviously there's some effort that's gone into the decorations (plum blossoms I believe).

[Bugyotsuji]

Iron with shinchu zogan in inome shapes. Not especially low-end either. Just the sort of thing we can all enjoy. 

Ume? They might actually be clematis (Tessen) flowers, judging by the vines.(Tessen usually depicted with six petals though.) 

 

[Grevedk]

Hi Michael,

 

From a similar and near identical tsuba description made by: Samurai Museum / Japan:

 

“Title: Heianjo-style, Inome Sukashi

Description
 Iron Tsuba with Kozuka and Kougai holes

 Inome Sukashi pattern is engraved with openwork. Inome means boar’s eye, and Sukashi means openwork in Japanese. Inome pattern has been being used since ancient times, and it looks similar to heart mark. People believed that the Inome design works as an amulet that protects them from evil spirits or fire and brings good luck. This pattern is often found in traditional Japanese architectures such as shrines or temples. And it is used in Gegyo (decoration under the roof, where the roof is joined) or metal fittings for hiding timber joints.

 Karakusa Mon (arabesque pattern) is inlaid with brass. Ivy has vitality, and it thrives strongly; therefore, this plant pattern represents prosperity and longevity. 

 Heianjo-style was established in Yamashiro (Kyoto Pref.). It is mainly made of iron with brass inlay. Its design was simply family crest or arabesque patterns in the beginning. However, after that, they made different shapes of Tsuba and started using gold, silver, or copper for inlaying”.

(Quote: Samurai Museum)

 

All the best.

 

/Soren

[Mikaveli]

23 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Iron with shinchu zogan in inome shapes. Not especially low-end either. Just the sort of thing we can all enjoy. 

They might actually be clematis (Tessen) flowers, judging by the vines.

Thanks, much appreciated.

 

Shinchu zogon - that's literally a brass inlay, right?

 

Would the type of flowers have any particular meaning/ significance? Or is it just as likely to be just an aesthetic choice?

[ROKUJURO]

Michael,

your TSUBA looks to be in good condition as there is no brass loss to be seen. This can happen on lesser work.

The inlay is slightly above the TSUBA plate (like in TAKA ZOGAN) which can be a hint for a later production date (early EDO JIDAI). Older examples often have a kind of "HIRA ZOGAN" (inlay is flush with the iron plate). This is what I have read.

I think it is a good collectable ROKU MOKKO style TSUBA.

[Bugyotsuji]

Shinchu is a type of Japanese brass, yes, and zogan is a general word for inlay. Yours are properly inserted into the iron surface so they are known as 'Hon-zogan', or genuine inlay.

 

The Japanese have long admired vines such as Fuji (wisteria), for their climbing and binding and strength, suggesting prosperity in a family or clan.

Among the arabesque vine designs we also find clematis, at least since the 1600s that I am aware of. I suspect that coming from China, it also had the subliminal function of bringing society together anew, possibly through versions of Yomeigaku, a rediscovery of Classical Chinese religion and philosophy favo(u)red by the Tokugawa to replace out-of-favo(u)r Christianity.

[Spartancrest]

34 minutes ago, Mikaveli said:

Shinchu zogon

Shinchu-Zogan

 

A popular design of Heianjo and Kaga Yoshirō style Inome tsuba. The type of plant or flower can vary but the style is very much the same.

 

 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Usually I associate Hira-zogan with Kaga work, the zogan being flat with the surface of the iron. 

(Interesting that they all seem to have those strange bifurcated 'token' leaves.)