Is this a genuine Masachika tsuba?

[nyancide]

Hello, I am new to this site and was recommended to post here. 

 

A reputable shop near me is selling this tsuba and said I could buy it from him for $400. I am new to Japanese antiques and such, I practice Japanese Jujutsu but wouldn't put this on a practice sword obviously. I've only found 3 sources with this signature, one was a museum post, one was a sold listing (no sold price), and one was sold for £2300 or so. I have zero idea what this is valued . I was told to ask here to see if there are any signs of it being cast, but the comments on reddit deemed that to be unlikely. 

 

I'm posting this before going to bed, I'm excited to see the replies hopefully. 

[ROKUJURO]

Nyancide,

this TSUBA looks to be signed BÛSHÛ no JÛ MASACHIKA SAKU (MASACHIKA of BÛSHÛ province made this). It seems to be a late (19th cent) but probably genuine TSUBA in neglected condition. However, carefully treated by competent hands, it might come out quite nice. Please no DIY!

If you look around a bit, you might find other BÛSHÛ TSUBA in better shape even at a lower price, but you could also negotiate with the shop owner to get it a bit cheaper, in case you like it very much.

[nyancide]

  On 2/27/2025 at 10:37 AM, ROKUJURO said:

Nyancide,

this TSUBA looks to be signed BÛSHÛ no JÛ MASACHIKA SAKU (MASACHIKA of BÛSHÛ province made this). It seems to be a late (19th cent) but probably genuine TSUBA in neglected condition. However, carefully treated by competent hands, it might come out quite nice. Please no DIY!

If you look around a bit, you might find other BÛSHÛ TSUBA in better shape even at a lower price, but you could also negotiate with the shop owner to get it a bit cheaper, in case you like it very much.

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Thank you for the information. 

[Shugyosha]

Hi Nyancide,

Welcome to the forum - if that isn't your actual name would you mind posting a first name rather than using a handle please? Sorry to be picky first up but we're a friendly bunch on here and that's the forum rule.

 

There's a similar one here priced at JPY 75,000 (around $500 at today's exchange rate though I'm not sure of the date of the sale)  but it has authentication papers and the carving and condition looks slightly better to my eye: https://www.aoijapan...-jyu-masachika-saku/

 

Anyway, you have an authenticated example to compare the signature with. IMHO I would say that the signature on the authenticated one looks like a good match for yours and that the work style is similar. It looks like the artist is aiming for a slightly worn look so what looks like a loss of gold on the flower petals might be what the artist intended rather than damage though, as Jean says, there are some small areas of corrosion and general crud and it would be worth using this as a negotiating point if you go ahead.

 

 

[nyancide]

  On 2/27/2025 at 11:17 AM, Shugyosha said:

Hi Nyancide,

Welcome to the forum - if that isn't your actual name would you mind posting a first name rather than using a handle please? Sorry to be picky first up but we're a friendly bunch on here and that's the forum rule.

 

There's a similar one here priced at JPY 75,000 (around $500 at today's exchange rate though I'm not sure of the date of the sale)  but it has authentication papers and the carving and condition looks slightly better to my eye: https://www.aoijapan...-jyu-masachika-saku/

 

Anyway, you have an authenticated example to compare the signature with. IMHO I would say that the signature on the authenticated one looks like a good match for yours and that the work style is similar. It looks like the artist is aiming for a slightly worn look so what looks like a loss of gold on the flower petals might be what the artist intended rather than damage though, as Jean says, there are some small areas of corrosion and general crud and it would be worth using this as a negotiating point if you go ahead.

 

 

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Thank you. I'll figure out how to change my name. What would you buy this at? He had the tag at $475 but said he'd take $400 because I talked about it for a bit. 

[Lewis B]

  On 2/27/2025 at 11:17 AM, Shugyosha said:

There's a similar one here priced at JPY 75,000 (around $500 at today's exchange rate though I'm not sure of the date of the sale)  but it has authentication papers and the carving and condition looks slightly better to my eye: https://www.aoijapan...-jyu-masachika-saku/

 

 

 

 

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Good comparo for the signature. Looks to be a good match. 

Based on the format of the listing the Tsuba was sold at least 6-7 years ago so I imagine prices have advanced quite considerably since then.

[Shugyosha]

My honest feeling is that $400 from a dealer is in the ball park. I've had a quick look around the site linked previously and the prices there are perhaps a little under what you are looking at but the date of the sale isn't listed and, as Lewis says, they may be a number of years old. Hopefully this will link the search, but you'll have to sift through for the tsuba if you want to take a look - https://www.aoijapan.net/?s=bushu&x=0&y=0

 

There's a live one here at around $330 but it's unsigned, the design is overly busy and the carving is poorer quality than yours (my opinion obviously): https://www.aoijapan.com/tsuba-mumeibushu/

 

I hope that helps a bit.

[Lewis B]

  On 2/27/2025 at 10:37 AM, ROKUJURO said:

Nyancide,

this TSUBA looks to be signed BÛSHÛ no JÛ MASACHIKA SAKU (MASACHIKA of BÛSHÛ province made this). It seems to be a late (19th cent) but probably genuine TSUBA in neglected condition. However, carefully treated by competent hands, it might come out quite nice. Please no DIY!

If you look around a bit, you might find other BÛSHÛ TSUBA in better shape even at a lower price, but you could also negotiate with the shop owner to get it a bit cheaper, in case you like it very much.

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I believe he was active late 18th early 19th century, unless this is a later generation piece. Fine workmanship nonetheless. Price does not seem high although if you can get a little more off for the condition it would be worth asking.

[Lewis B]

This one is exceptional and gives a nice example of the workmanship for comparison. Sold by Bonhams in 2011 for over $3000.

 

[nyancide]

Thanks everyone for all the great info

[Lewis B]

Question for Tsuba experts. Some mention was made of the condition in the OP's example. Would a restoration by a professional return the metal to something like that in the last example? I have a good idea what a sword polish costs by a competant to a mukansa level togishi but not for a Tsuba. Approx what would a high quality restoration cost using the OP's as a starting point?

[Shugyosha]

Perhaps one for @Matsunoki as I know he used Ford Hallam a number of times for restorations.

[Matsunoki]

  On 2/28/2025 at 9:11 AM, Shugyosha said:

Perhaps one for @Matsunoki as I know he used Ford Hallam a number of times for restorations.

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Well, I cannot recall having Ford restore an iron tsuba for me. Everything of mine that he was kind enough to deploy his magicians skills on was mixed metal and mostly works of art. I am aware of another genius restorer in the UK but financially…..forget it!!!!, and he wouldn’t take it onanyway. Sorry can’t be of much help. 

[Franco]

Hello,

 

For professional restoration of tsuba/tosogu and for other Japanese Sword Furniture services, highly recommend Brian Tschernega (search/google Brian Tschernega Washington for contact information).