Heianjo Zogan of Not?

[zanilu]

Hello everyone,

I would like to share one of my latest acquisitions with you.

 

 

Dimensions: 78.6 mm x 80.3 mm, thickness 3.1 mm at the mimi and 3.2 mm at the seppa-dai.

Initially, when I saw it on Yahoo Japan, my first hypothesis was that it was a Heianjo Zogan tsuba with suemon-zogan brass inlay. However, upon receiving it, I noticed a silver-like coating covering parts of the brass inlay.

 

 

 

It appears that this silvery layer originally covered the entire inlay but has been abraded over time, now remaining only in the lower, more protected regions.

Interestingly, some silver can also be found on the copper seki-gane, which on one side also shows traces of black lacquer.

 

 

It seems that silver was a later addition, possibly applied via mercury gilding, which has worn off from the higher points over time.

I would highly appreciate your opinions on this.
It can be still attributed to Heainjo Zogan in spite of the silver addition or its presence points for a different attribution?

How will you describe the decoration that looks like squirrel with gapes and melons in trellis? Which is the correct way to describe it in Japanese?

 

Best regards,
Luca

[Tohagi]

Very interesting composition, maybe 3 foxes playing? It reminds me western "Nanban" style hunting compositions...

 

First time I see something like that on a Japanese tsuba. 

 

Hope to learn more.

 

Best regards, 

 

Éric VD 

[Spartancrest]

Squirrels in the grapes.    This is a modern fake [shows how popular the design is]

 

 

 

 

 

    Walters Museum

 

See SteveM reply Posted March 17, 2021

 

 

[Soshin]

1 hour ago, zanilu said:

It can be still attributed to Heainjo Zogan in spite of the silver addition or its presence points for a different attribution?

 

Nice tsuba is a great addition to your collection. Based upon my experience I would say yes, it would still be attributed to the Heianjō (平安城) Group regardless of the addition of a small amount of silver, which like you said was likely added later.    

[zanilu]

Thank you David.

 

This cover the omote side, on the hura there are squirrels and what looks like some kind of water melon on trellis.

 

Regards

Luca