Unusual Tsuba

[sensei215]

I noticed this while I was looking at the current EBay listings. I found the both the subject and the shape to be different then anything I have come across up till now.

I would like any information that might explain this tsuba. Was It done for the Western market or is this just a style I have not seen.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

 

Tim S

[ottou812]

If it is not a gimei, the tsuba was definitely never mounted. In any case, looks to be a purely decorative in nature.

[FlorianB]

In my opinion this tsuba was made as it is depicted. If You imagine the folded area flat again, there would be a considerably larger space below the nakago-ana so there would be an distinctly unbalance.

In a symbolistic way the crooked and bend design could emphasize a destructive impression.

Without a practical purpose it is of course a bizarre collector’s item from later Edo-Period.

Greetings,

Florian

[sensei215]

So far it seems to confirm my opinion that this was done as a show piece ans not to be functional.

 

Tim S

[docliss]

Tim’s tsuba is signed SUIJO ADZUMA OKABE MASANOBU, and is presumably the work of that artist (H 04308.0), working in Mito ca 1800, since such a signature is unlikely to be gimei. I agree that it shows no signs of having been mounted, but was probably intended for use at the time of its manufacture. Personally, I find it rather vulgar and with little to recommend it.

 

John L.

[bridgeofdreams]

I agree it's a reasonably ok tsuba made ugly, from from the perspective of an iaido student, it would have the advantage of making it impossible for one's katana to roll when set on the floor.

 

with tongue firmly in cheek,

 

Craig

[watsonmil]

Hmm, .... Sort of like how Viagra keeps us old guys from rolling out of bed !

... Ron Watson

[Stephen]

one of a set of two bookends???

[ottou812]

one of a set of two bookends???

 

Must be small books. :D

[Aloof Pegasus]

More likely an arm rest

 

Philip