RESET/REWIND?

[KungFooey]

My last request for assistance unfortunately turned into "a sad, boring pantomime" (to paraphrase two of the last comments) and it was entirely my own fault. I fell down a stupid rabbit hole of trading insults and petty mindedness.

 

I wish to sincerely apologize for that and would like to begin afresh - if any members here are still willing to help me.

 

The attached seller's pictures are of a tsuba I just won on Yahoo! Auctions which will first be sent to my brother stationed in Japan, as per my previous purchases.

 

I was attracted to it because of its rather unusual design and large, solid dimensions; 

Length = 8.95cm 

Width = 9.0cm

Thickness = 0.55cm

Weight = 157.84 g.

 

Any comments on this tsuba would be most gratefully received, whether they are critical of it or not.

 

I will not respond to anything unrelated to the tsuba itself. This includes small talk, personal comments and even flattery.

 

I will also ignore any icons after my responses. As Brian rightly says, "this is not a popularity contest".

 

If I receive any abusive PMs (as has happened previously), I will disregard them and immediately block the person responsible.

 

Thank you in advance for any constructive remarks about this tsuba's provenance or age.

 

Dee

[Jesta]

Impressive piece… This is the sort of thing that I refer to as an “anti-tank” tsuba. 

It seems to be pretty solid and weighty, definitely something that is built to last. 

[Brian]

Heck of a lot of work to forge those "folds"
I've seen them at the edges, folded upwards, but this is the first I've seen them forged in the inner part.

[Grevedk]

Evening Dee,

 

First of all - thank you for posting your newest acquisitions. It’s always nice to follow other collectors taste and finds, as well as getting the opportunity to guess on maker, school, design and meaning.

 

I have no idea who made this one. But as Justyn and Brian have stated - a heavy, solid and “a no nonsens” piece of work in its own measure and elegance. Personally I believe that some (if not most) tsuba served several functions, one of which included the function of balancing of the sword. Maybe not a critical function for a wealthy merchant in peacetime but a critical one for a warrior in times of war and unrest. Your tsuba radiate this feeling for me. Several famous sword smith's (e.g. Ikeda Kazuhide) also made tsuba with a similar look, texture and design as yours. So - authentic, made for a purpose (my assumption) and rather cool looking 😎👍

 

A good place to find information and to compare an acquisition:

 

https://shibuiswords.com/tsuba.htm

 

And - keep posting.

 

All the best

 

/ Soeren

[Dan tsuba]

Hey Dee!

It is cast!

NO, not really!

Just having a bit of fun here!

 

It is a beautiful hand forged tsuba (yes, even I can see that!)

I bet you can’t wait to get it in hand.

It may even have some tekkotsu?

Congratulations and well done!

 

P.S.- could that be real gold ategane?  Simply beautiful!

[KungFooey]

1 hour ago, Brian said:

Heck of a lot of work to forge those "folds"
I've seen them at the edges, folded upwards, but this is the first I've seen them forged in the inner part.

Strange you mention that Brian.

Shown below was actually my first choice of tsuba from the same seller - until I saw the one I bought.

Dee

[Stephen]

MPPOV

 

YOU should have went with it.

The one won is just too crude for my taste.

Others may differ

[Matsunoki]

Very big on function, very low on aesthetic appeal. Brutal not beautiful. ….imo.

[Spartancrest]

5 hours ago, Stephen said:

YOU should have went with it.

I love those folded edges, I have one myself, but the plate is rather thin and just doesn't have that heft to it that Dee's purchase looks to have. Heck if I had the money I would have gotten both! 

 

PS I only paid half the catalogue price for mine.

[Dan tsuba]

Yeah, I have one of those folded edges tsuba also!

Pictures shown below.

As always, I didn't pay over $150.00 U.S. for it.

But Dee's tsuba is excellent (my opinion).

It is beautiful, and I have not seen a tsuba like that before.

It just exudes strength, beauty, and function.

Onward!

 

[KungFooey]

Thank you so much for all the comments so far, gentlemen - they are truly appreciated.

 

I totally understand Stephen and Colin's views that it is a utilitarian - almost 'thuggish' looking - piece but I personally feel that the precise and delicate workmanship exhibited in the gilded umegane in the kogai hitsu ana and kozuka hitsu ana balances the practical 'brutality' of the design.

 

Thank you all again for taking the time to look and comment!

 

Dee

 

PS: If anyone could hazard a guess as to possible school, that would be fantastic.

Edited December 29, 2024 by KungFooey
Spelling mistake.

[KungFooey]

9 hours ago, Grevedk said:

Evening Dee,

 

First of all - thank you for posting your newest acquisitions. It’s always nice to follow other collectors taste and finds, as well as getting the opportunity to guess on maker, school, design and meaning.

 

I have no idea who made this one. But as Justyn and Brian have stated - a heavy, solid and “a no nonsens” piece of work in its own measure and elegance. Personally I believe that some (if not most) tsuba served several functions, one of which included the function of balancing of the sword. Maybe not a critical function for a wealthy merchant in peacetime but a critical one for a warrior in times of war and unrest. Your tsuba radiate this feeling for me. Several famous sword smith's (e.g. Ikeda Kazuhide) also made tsuba with a similar look, texture and design as yours. So - authentic, made for a purpose (my assumption) and rather cool looking 😎👍

 

A good place to find information and to compare an acquisition:

 

https://shibuiswords.com/tsuba.htm

 

And - keep posting.

 

All the best

 

/ Soeren

Thank you Soeren!

 

Your comment echoes my own feelings on this tsuba perfectly.
As stated in a different thread, I am not a fan of the Goto school; their exquisite workmanship is undeniable but they are not made for warriors - they are simply a gaudy display of wealth.

 

Thank you also for the very interesting link!

 

Love

Dee

[Spartancrest]

2 hours ago, KungFooey said:

PS: If anyone could hazard a guess as to possible school, that would be fantastic.

Strangely enough I was talking to a friend about the same tsuba that he was interested in [he didn't get in quick enough!] 

I thought the guard might be Tempo/Tenpo/ Tembo [however you like to spell it ] Tempo tend to be more random with their hammer work though and the folding is anything but random on  your piece.

 

Another possibility is it could be Myochin like this pair.

 

 

Myochin like thick bold designs https://www.ebay.com/itm/375810906638

[KungFooey]

2 minutes ago, Spartancrest said:

Strangely enough I was talking to a friend about the same tsuba that he was interested in [he didn't get in quick enough!] 

I thought the guard might be Tempo/Tenpo/ Tembo [however you like to spell it ] Tempo tend to be more random with their hammer work though and the folding is anything but random on  your piece.

 

 

Another possibility is it could be Myochin like this pair. Myochin like thick bold designs https://www.ebay.com/itm/375810906638

 

That's a great lead to investigate, Dale - thank you so much!

 

Dee

[Steve Waszak]

2 hours ago, KungFooey said:

As stated in a different thread, I am not a fan of the Goto school; their exquisite workmanship is undeniable but they are not made for warriors - they are simply a gaudy display of wealth.

 

Hi Dee,

 

You may need to look into the history of the Goto a little more.  They were indeed made for warriors, not the rank and file ashigaru and low-ranking bushi, admittedly, but for Daimyo (and higher), absolutely.  Did you know that early generations of the Goto were of the Buke, and that Goto Joshin (3rd generation Goto) -- one of the most respected of the entire line of the Goto group -- actually died in battle in 1562?  Killed by an arrow at the age of 50 or 51, I believe.  

[KungFooey]

1 minute ago, Steve Waszak said:

 

Hi Dee,

 

You may need to look into the history of the Goto a little more.  They were indeed made for warriors, not the rank and file ashigaru and low-ranking bushi, admittedly, but for Daimyo (and higher), absolutely.  Did you know that early generations of the Goto were of the Buke, and that Goto Joshin (3rd generation Goto) -- one of the most respected of the entire line of the Goto group -- actually died in battle in 1562?  Killed by an arrow at the age of 50 or 51, I believe.  

Hi Steve, 

I stand corrected. 👍

I will definitely read more about the Goto school's history but I fear they will never be "my cup of tea", as the Brits say.

 

I won't say more as I'm very wary of wandering 'off topic' again.

 

Many thanks!

Dee

[Steve Waszak]

You're most welcome.  

[KungFooey]

So, my brother actually got the tsuba in hand today and made the following observations. (He just sent me an email Japan time.)

 

It has some active rust around the mimi which will need some ivory work to tone down. 

The four 'folds' hammered into the steel are 'two up/ two down' in opposite corners so each side mirrors the other, but in reverse.

I've included another photo to hopefully demonstrate what I'm trying to explain!

 

Dee