Edo or Showa tsuba?

[Emil]

According to the appraisal from the dealer, this is an high relief carved tsuba from the edo period. But it closely resembles some of the showa era tusbas I've seen here.

 

What do you say?

 

 

[Kiipu]

@Spartancrest

[Bruce Pennington]

El,

 

Here are the Gunzoku tsuba we have thus far.  As noted in the display, #6 is possibly Gunzoku but we have no documentation to back that up.  

 

I'm not a civil tsuba guy, but I believe the shape was used over the years in the civil sword world.  So, like #6, it could go either way.

[Emil]

Thank you Bruce, 

 

The shape of tsuba #6 is strikingly similar to mine with the exact same placement of kozuka ana and same seppadai.

 

I'm not sure what to believe now, does it mean the shape is casted?

 

Why would a reputable dealer in Tokyo say it's an Edo carved tsuba then

[Spartancrest]

I haven't found an identical design yet . . .  Could you show the other side of the guard? Or is it identical? You might get more responses if it was posted over on the Tosogu threads where the "tsuba people" hangout.

I was toying with the idea it might be Sanmai construction but the raised seppa-dai would probably rule that out. I think the guard is not modern as such but might date back to pre-war?

[Emil]

55 minutes ago, Spartancrest said:

I haven't found an identical design yet . . .  Could you show the other side of the guard? Or is it identical? You might get more responses if it was posted over on the Tosogu threads where the "tsuba people" hangout.

I was toying with the idea it might be Sanmai construction but the raised seppa-dai would probably rule that out. I think the guard is not modern as such but might date back to pre-war?

Thank you,

 

I don't have it here right now. But the other side looks the same, although I'm not sure if it's identical. I'll post pictures later of the other side, if it helps.

[Brian]

Just a wild guess, but this looks like a layers tsuba to me, with pressed brass on the outside, and maybe a solid inner. The mimi added to hide the layers. What does the inside of the nakago ana look like?