Recently acquired a few fittings

[Teece3]

These were given to me as a gift so I have no information other than the items themselves. Would love to hear people’s thoughts on authenticity and possible time period. I’ve done a google image search without much luck, so any help would be appreciated. I do understand this is a difficult ask with only images. Thank you to those that take the time to respond!

[Matsunoki]

(Images all upside down🙂)

All appear to be genuine fuchi of modest quality (no offence intended) from the Edo period. Probably 19thC. 
Fuchi are the fittings at the tsuba end of a Japanese sword tsuka (ie handle).

They usually come with a matching kashira that goes on the other end of the tsuka which together are called “fuchi kashira” (sometimes also called fuchi-gashira).

Sometimes they are signed in the faceplate. 

Search this Forum for fuchi and you’ll get loads of comparisons.

Best. Colin.

 

 

 

 

[Teece3]

Thank you Colin for the reply, it is much appreciated. I am a new collector and have a ton to learn. I’ve been reading daily and have come a long way, but still have a long road ahead. The items gifted to me only included one kashira. I also received several menuki and one tsuba, I’ll attach those as well. Learning that there are a lot of fakes/copies out there makes it a bit difficult for a novice to identify authentic pieces. Again, thanks for the assistance.

[Matsunoki]

These are again all genuine modest quality pieces of a type that would be fitted to many a Samurai sword. I’m no tsuba expert so you might get a more informed opinion on that. It looks pretty old but in somewhat tired condition.As you probably know, menuki come in pairs.

 

A good way to train your eye on fakes and copies is to search eBay.com and look at anything coming out of China!

To see really good quality things look at bonhams website and search “past lots”

[Bazza]

G'day Tyler,

 

A great 'sensitising' thread is the one by Bob Morrison over a couple years or more showing his collection of over 300 pieces - right here on the Message Board.  Comments from Board members are very illuminating.  This thread should keep you busy for quite some time and help to 'get your eye in':

 

Best regards,

BaZZa.

Melbourne, Australia.

[Teece3]

Thank you both for all the info. Bob’s thread is awesome! Only a few pages in, but wow. Thanks for taking the time to share!

[Jake6500]

Hi Tyler,

 

I am far from a foremost expert in these forums but what I will say with my limited knowledge is I see no reason to doubt the authenticity of the tsuba in the picture from the image provided. 

 

It appears to be a tsuba of simplistic and practical design and I don't see any casting mold lines or anything of that nature.

[Teece3]

Thank you, Jake!

[Spartancrest]

Jake is right the tsuba looks perfectly correct, just a little tired - not surprising when it could easily be three hundred years old. [I won't look that good in that time span - in fact I don't look so good now!]

Some variations on the design here-  https://www.aoijapan.com/tsuba-mumei　warabite/

     

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/395382660323     https://www.ebay.com/itm/124607707600    https://yahoo.aleado...uctionID=p1131935208

 

    https://japaneseswor...i-koshirae-complete/

 

There is one in the Cleveland Museum of Art [possibly by Kaneiye, but his signature was often copied]  https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1919.515

 

 

 

 

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/156312864300

 

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/285897197391

Edited July 20, 2024 by Spartancrest
More images

[Jake6500]

Wow, I really like that second last one Dale, seems like a decent price.

 

I'm kind of tempted to buy it but will refrain to spare my wallet some pain.

 

That and I have my eyes on a couple more unique expensive items, one of which I hope to buy in another month or 2.

 

 

[Spartancrest]

Hi Jake, I just found this Heianjo version   https://www.jauce.com/auction/u1106343889   The condition is not perfect, the inlay is a little haphazard.

It might "re-list" ?