Kirikomi on Tsuba from Sword Strike vs. Non-Combat Damage

[Iaido dude]

I would like to solicit the community's expertise on differentiating between kirikomi (I think that is the right term) present on the mimi of a tsuba that represent battle scars from sword strikes likely suffered during battle, as opposed to damage that is due to other causes NOT involving a blade making contact with the tsuba. It's in a location that is not on the mimi.

 

Here is a shakoh tsuba that is attributed to Kanayama by NBTHK certificate. On the small section at 12 'oclock that attaches the central rays of light disc to the mimi, there appears to be a horizontal linear break in the surface. It is seen from multiple angles (see magnification of the same area rotated 180 degrees) and seems not to affect the full thickness of the tsuba because it does not appear on the ura. On the magnified pic there appear to be at least one globular/linear tekkotsu at 5 'oclock, which along with the wide squared rim and the shape of the hitsu-ana is a Kanayama feature. This looks like Momoyama/Early Edo work. This tsuba has the "2nd" style of the Jesuit rays of light (shakoh) motif in which the rays are equal in length rather than alternating long/short. Soon, the ban on Christians and Christianity would come into full swing. In the subsequent syles, the motif will soften and then become partially disguised to avoid persecution.

 

https://world.seiyud...m/product/tu-010225/

 

 

[Iaido dude]

Here is another example from the Varshavsky Collection that is identical in motif and compositional elements--also attributed to Kanayama of the Momoyama Period. Sergei describes the rim as round-cornered, so the mimi is not quite as square.

 

[parfaitelumiere]

the visible detail on ura side, and some other details visible on other pictures makes me think about soldering blister or rust inside weaker, creating delamination.
On link second picture is showing similar detail on side, and on third picture it seems there is a bit of delamination in nakago ana visisible.

[Iaido dude]

Thanks, Patrice. The diamond-shaped motifs that connect the inner disk to the mimi are points of relative weakness, I'm guessing. I'm not experienced enough to discern whether there is delamination. Any such delamination in the nakago-ana doesn't appear to be as clear as with the sanmei construction of Akasaka tsuba that I have seen. The high asking price for this piece is what you might expect for Kanayama, but I don't think this particular Shakoh composition is as lively and dynamic as the the "1st style" that corresponds to the earliest Jesuit image of the rays of light at the time Christianity was introduced to Japan by the Portugeuse. And there is this damage/defect.

 

This one is from the Varshavsky Collection, attributed to 4th Gen Akasaka. This is presumably a later copy of the 1st style. I'm still looking for a good example...

 

 

 

[OceanoNox]

This is one of the only example that seems like a credible sword scar on tosogu: http://www.ksky.ne.j...9/katanainfight.html

Also: http://www.ksky.ne.j.../tsubaradiation.html

Here is another discussion on the topic, if you haven't seen it before:

[Iaido dude]

Ah, yes. I have seen this tsuba before. Very convincing because the extent of battle scars is linear across a large area and there are also multiple scars as one might expect from a fierce battle.

Thanks for pointing me to the 2020 thread on tsuba battle scars. It's less credible when there is just a single small kirikomi on the mimi. 

[Deez77]

Very interesting discussion. If only these tosogu could talk, the stories they might tell. 😁

 

I have this piece which was struck with something very hard. I guess it's plausible that's it's a sword strike.

 

Edited just to specify I'm not referring to the unique rendering of the pine cone, but to the indention on the edge near it.

 

Damon

Edited February 3 by Deez77
Clarity