Any information about this Tsuba?

[JunS]

I bought this tsuba for 25$ on catawiki from Japan.

Is this tsuba legit?

What time period is it from?

What school?

https://drive.google...Jru_g1Xr?usp=sharing

Photos are in the drive folder the file were to big to upload.

I would be very happy if someone could help me.

[JunS]

It is so shiny because I photographed it with flash.

[Dan tsuba]

Hey Simon!

I think I have the exact same tsuba! 

My opinion is that it is cast iron from the very late Edo period and has probably never been mounted.

But then again, what do I know!

I am certain other much more knowlegable members than I am will tell you more about it.

[JunS]

Thank you Dan,

 

what price did you get yours?
Was mine a good deal?

[Dan tsuba]

Hey Simon,

I got mine (I guess I bought two, but must have gifted one to a friend) one for  $49.00 and the other for $116.00 U.S..

Pictures are attached.

My tsuba look a little different than yours.

You paid $25.00 for yours.  I think that is a fair price.

Remembering that brand new, made yesterday, tsuba (like made for iaido swords -training swords) can sell for as much as $150.00!

I collect tsuba that are within my budget (no more than $200.00 per tsuba, because of my social security check-ha, ha, ha, etc!)

I learn from each tsuba and appreciate them (so much to learn, so little time!).

There are many threads on this forum that deal with beginning tsuba collectors and how to collect tsuba.  There are also many good books out there for beginners to learn from.

There is a member on this forum.  His forum name is Spartancrest.  Perhaps you can send him a personal message through this forum and he can recommend some good learning books?

 

 

 

 

[JunS]

Thanks Dan,

 

I am happy with my tsuba and i think I made a good deal.

I might contact Spartancrest. It is a good idea.

[Dan tsuba]

Well Simon,

You are happy with your tsuba.  In my opinion that is all that is important!

Also, I forgot to tell you, there are fake tsuba and reproductions that sell from about $100 to $300 dollars!

Learn by looking at museum catalogs of tsuba and how they describe them.  Learn by looking at the auction sites and the descriptions of tsuba.

Learn by discerning the difference between hand forged and cast iron tsuba (although it is my belief that some cast iron tsuba were made in the Edo period-but we won't get into that now!).

Yes, it would be a good idea to get in touch with Spartancrest.

But there are also many other members that can recommend good beginners books to you (hey guys, if you are reading this recommend some books to the new guy!).

As your journey continues on the tsuba path; learn, enjoy, and don't overspend (my opinion!).

 

[Jake6500]

With my limited expertise I concur with Dan. No sign of wear around the Nakago Ana, probably never mounted. As Dan has a tsuba with the same design we can assume it is probably cast. As for dating there is some controversy/dispute as to whether cast Tsuba existed in the Edo Period or whether they were only produced later. We can assume it is probably a product of either the late Edo or Meiji Periods. 

 

Hard to go wrong with a $25 Tsuba, even if it's cast.

[Okan]

Hi Simon, 

 

It’s most likely a cast tsuba made for tourists in the 1970s-80s. It’s not genuine, but don’t worry—buying a cast piece will help you learn and differentiate between fake and real ones in the future. 

[Spartancrest]

Hi Simon your images show the "ura" side - back side. Normally the "omote" side has the most detail. But I would concur that the piece is cast - hey I have seen a lot worse and it is a useful learning tool.

Watch out for the ones with that "mushroom" top of the nakago-ana [cast in for adding sekigane] and the  cast bubble/fault on the seppa-dai.

           

[Spartancrest]

On 9/28/2024 at 3:15 AM, JunS said:

Is this tsuba legit?

Well Simon, Eldreds auctions sold one for $169 [including fees] in 2012 so your $25 was better than that!  You notice the "mushroom" top is a constant feature, the "signatures" [fake] are added later and can vary even in who they pretend to be by.

https://www.eldreds.....-with-re_BEB03ED54F