Nara? tsuba and other fittings

[David Price]

OK, frist off...I am a beginner trying to learn (hopefully from others mistakes). I think this is a Nara (or Ko-Nara?) tsuba. Am I correct? I don't think is is a very good one as the stag looks like a sheep with sticks on it's head . The color in the first two photos is closer to what it looks like in-hand.

 

Any thoughts or constructive comments?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fuchi & kashira that came with it I believe are also low quality. The tsuka does not show any signs of having ever had menuki.

 

 

 

The mimi has what looks like white paint rubbed on it. It is not a casting seam.

 

 

 

Thanks

Dave P

[David Price]

The nakago is ubu and mumei.

 

 

Regrettably, someone force fitted a saya to the katana. They cut out the ha side of a random saya so the habaki would fit.

 

 

And the saya was too short for the blade . I bet the tip of the kissaki is still in the saya! Unfortunately, the blade is ruined !

 

 

 

Dave P

[John A Stuart]

Hi David, I would think it is a Mito tsuba. Too bad about the sword, it's gone. John

[docliss]

Dear Dave

 

The distinction between Nara and Mito work is a difficult one, the style of the latter being derived from that of the Nara masters, although they tended to favour rather higher relief in their work. Personally I would favour a Nara (not Ko-Nara) label for your tsuba. The nature of the iron plate and the rather subdued style of the iroye work favour this attribution; Mito work is commonly on a polished plate of lighter patination, and has more ‘brightness’ than is displayed by your example.

 

So, perhaps C19, Nara work, but I would be interested too hear some other opinions.

 

John L.

[David Price]

John (Stuart) and John (L), thanks for your comments.

 

Stuart, do you favor Mito because of the style of the floral work?

 

John L., I was leaning towards Nara because of the hammer worked plate. Although I am a rank beginner so my determination was a just one step removed from a "SWAG" :lol: Also, please explain the "C19" reference. Which book or other source can I find this in?

 

Thanks

Dave P

[John A Stuart]

I can give you my reasoning why I favour Mito, not that I am correct or not. The plate and shape and the type of carving, but mostly, the composition and positioning is typical to the school. Both Nara and Mito works have various plate and aren't relegated to one type. John

[docliss]

Dave, I apologise for my unexplained abbreviation. By C19 I meant, simply, 19th century work. J.

[Rich T]

Hi Dave, sorry, I think this is Aizu Shouami, and a fairly low end piece at that. The soft metal work is bordering on shiiremono, the carving not so bad but still fairly rudimentary, but I would bet my bottom dollar if it went in for shinsa, that's what it would get.

 

I have no real idea about the fuchigashira, maybe Mito work.

 

Just my thoughts.

 

Cheers

 

Rich

[docliss]

Rich’s suggestion of an Aizu Shōami provenance for Dave’s tsuba is an interesting one, and there is certainly a strong Nara influence in the later work of that school. But I cannot agree with him for several reasons:

• Aizu Shōami tsuba are commonly maru-gata or tate-maru-gata; other shapes are

rare.

• The hitsu-ana of this group are wide, in the general Shōami style.

• Mikagi-ji is the most common finish for tsuba of this group, although some are

tsuchime-ji, as is Dave’s.

• This tsuba is mumei, while the later work of the Aizu Shōami group is frequently signed

AIZU SHOAMI.

I think that I will stick with the Nara provenance.

 

John L.

[Rich T]

Hi John, well not being one to sit on my laurels LOL. yes there are a lot of maru gata tsuba in this group, but I had no trouble finding these.

 

http://nihontou.jp/choice03/tousougu/tu ... 32/132.htm

 

NBTHK Hozon Aizu Shouami

http://www.sanmei.com/contents/media/tu ... d1471.html

 

Not papered and kinda kooky but I like it LOL.

http://www.finesword.co.jp/sale/kodougu/htm/487/487.htm

 

 

 

 

NBTHK Hozon Aizu Shouami

 

 

Cheers

 

Rich

[doug e lewis]

Hi Rich, you are always an education for me ... being very ignorant in these matters.

 

the "kooky" tsuba looks like a beer barrel to me. or sake barrel, to be more Nipponese.

 

all of the tsuba, except the sake barrel, look super to me. i have seen and own low end tsuba, but not enough middle or high end. i hope to get the chance in SF in August.

 

could not the sword be saved somehow? is the boshi to far gone not to re-shape the kassaki into a ko-kassaki shape? or is too much $$$?? a shame to lose even low end nihonto, eh?

 

doug e

[David Price]

could not the sword be saved somehow? is the boshi to far gone not to re-shape the kassaki into a ko-kassaki shape? or is too much $$$?? a shame to lose even low end nihonto, eh?

 

doug e

 

It looks that the tip of the boshi is completely broken off in this photo . I had Chris Osborne look at it and he also thinks it would be a waste of time and money to try and reshape the kissaki. There just does not appear to be any tempered steel left at the tip of the kissaki.

 

 

Very sad.

 

Dave P

[nagamaki - Franco]

Greetings,

 

Hi Dave, sorry, I think this is Aizu Shouami, and a fairly low end piece at that.

 

Nothing more than food for thought here. Nara? Mito? Aizu Shouami? Along side the more prominent traditions, schools, and artisans, there were many obscure tosogu artisans practicing their craft, of which, and probably out of necessity, forced these artisans to be efficient at copying multiple styles in order to attract a sustainable size customer base. In so doing, while sufficient at copying multiple styles, these artisans did not excel or distinguish themselves in any particular tradition/school. The end result being tsuba produced showing multiple characteristics.

[Rich T]

Hey Franco, yes that is very very true and you are of course correct, this could be anything and it could be by some one who worked out of their home or local smithy in a small rural area or anything such scenario like that. Country Work springs to mind.

 

We do of course just love to pigeon hole things and many collectors need to be told "what it Is" This is just the way we are.

 

So yes, it in truth could be anything, made by anyone, but if it is a copy, then I think it is a copy of an Aizu Shoami tsuba (just my opinion of course)

 

Cheers

 

Rich

[doug e lewis]

hey Rich,

"a copy of an Aizu Shoami tsuba (just my opinion of course)"

 

even if not the "real thing" the farmer did a fair copy, maybe not signed and papered, but if ya like it ... it has a certain pleasing style. if you can't afford Piccaso original, the print copy can still look good on some wall in your shack

 

i guess i set my sights low now, until bank account is high

 

doug e Three Kats