Jesta Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 I have recently become quietly in love with nanako… This one is my latest, and I am still amazed by the quality of the workmanship that went into creating it. The tsuba is tiny, just 6.32 x 5.67cm (it fits comfortably inside the palm of my hand), shakudo decorated with flowers on a nanako ground, while the rim is made to look like plaited material (I think). The signature is Kono Yoshikuni. I was surprised by how small it was, and how delicate. My current hypothesis is that it was made for a child, or on a larger tanto. Any other similar examples or information would be appreciated. 3 4 1 Quote
Jake6500 Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 On 8/13/2024 at 12:40 PM, Jesta said: I have recently become quietly in love with nanako… This one is my latest, and I am still amazed by the quality of the workmanship that went into creating it. The tsuba is tiny, just 6.32 x 5.67cm (it fits comfortably inside the palm of my hand), shakudo decorated with flowers on a nanako ground, while the rim is made to look like plaited material (I think). The signature is Kono Yoshikuni. I was surprised by how small it was, and how delicate. My current hypothesis is that it was made for a child, or on a larger tanto. Any other similar examples or information would be appreciated. Expand A quick search turned up your piece, so I'm assuming it came with certification: https://sword-auction.com/en/product/14561/af22531-鍔:河野芳邦(花押)(保存刀装具)/ Another Kono school work of similar style: 2 Quote
Jesta Posted August 13, 2024 Author Report Posted August 13, 2024 On 8/13/2024 at 12:49 PM, Jake6500 said: A quick search turned up your piece, so I'm assuming it came with certification: https://sword-auction.com/en/product/14561/af22531-鍔:河野芳邦(花押)(保存刀装具)/ Another Kono school work of similar style: Expand Yes, with NBTHK papers… Thanks for the example. It’s beautiful. Quote
Jake6500 Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 On 8/13/2024 at 12:50 PM, Jesta said: Yes, with NBTHK papers… Thanks for the example. It’s beautiful. Expand Wait and see what some of the forums veteran experts say, but I think you picked up a great tsuba with a beautiful style. I always love this sort of black and gold contrast when it's done skillfully. 1 Quote
Matsunoki Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 Nice quality very attractive tsuba. Probably for a compact wakizashi. I’ve got similar sized tsuba on original wakizashi koshirae. Could be for a Tanto but maybe a little bit too big. Quote
Jesta Posted August 13, 2024 Author Report Posted August 13, 2024 On 8/13/2024 at 1:15 PM, Matsunoki said: Nice quality very attractive tsuba. Probably for a compact wakizashi. I’ve got similar sized tsuba on original wakizashi koshirae. Could be for a Tanto but maybe a little bit too big. Expand That was my thought… If it is for a wakizashi, then it might be a bit smaller than normal. Quote
Matsunoki Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 Just for a very quick comparison, here are 3 wakizashi with similar sized tsuba to yours. Actually one is smaller than yours. Of course yours is far finer quality ……more likely for the sword of a wealthy late Edo merchant? Anyway, it’s not an abnormal size but it is a lovely tsuba. 1 1 Quote
Jesta Posted August 13, 2024 Author Report Posted August 13, 2024 Thanks, appreciate the comparison. Always good to hear from others… Quote
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