tsuba help needed

[smac401]

Morning,

I have a question for the guys that refurbish and repair. I have a tsuba that has really nice details and is signed "Bushu ju Masafusa". With that being said I have noticed that there is a lot of gold detail hidden by what is probably crud from years of neglect. I dont want to try and scrape it off for fear of losing the gold detail but I can clearly see the film covering it. I have done the warm water and soft detergent but it remains. It appears to have taken over the tsuba and I would like to stop it as soon as I can. This is an older phot and doesnt fully show what has been uncovered just by light cleaning. I really dont want to damage it in the process.. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

 

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Steve M.

[smac401]

Sorry guys bad photo I know, I got another one that shows some of the underlying good stuff I want to bring out on the tsuba.

 

 

 

Steve M

[John A Stuart]

The image shack pictures show a perfectly acceptable aging to the tsuba. You do not need the glittery gold to make this one appealing. It seems you have rid it of the red rust and keeping it from reappearing is now the only criteria. This has a great theme and presence. John

[smac401]

John,

After looking at the photos I have to agree with you. I think the need for glitter is me because I can see what's under the coating. I am going to work on keeping it as rust free as I can and just take care of it in the shape it's in now. Thanks

 

Steve M.

[Soshin]

Dear Steve,

 

I think the tsuba looks fine for its age dating it to the late Edo Period. I have enjoyed other pieces by Masafusa of Bushu. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston has some nice pieces by artist as well. I have a very different tsuba signed just Masfusa which I have attributed to the Shoami school and not the Bushu-Ito school as yours belongs. Just keep the tsuba as is and prevent any red rust from developing.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[smac401]

David,

Thank you for the advice, I am doing as you and John advised. If I can maintain it in the condition it is in I feel I will be doing it just right. I have seen the huge collection that Boston has on the web and they have a really big one. They are nice and have been very well maintained. I would like to see photos of the one you have to see if the style is similar. Of course I am not sure if the name Masafusa was used by other makers. It would be nice to think they were one of a kind by name but I located one on Worthpoint.com under Masafusa metal works I believe. Check it out they have others as well. Thanks again for the advice.

 

Steve M.

[Soshin]

Dear Steve,

 

My Masafusa I purchased on eBay back in 2008 and is located on the WorthPoint website. From my examination and research I think it dates to the late Edo and was crafted by a artisan of the Shoami school. The size, workmanship, and design all point to Shoami. Which specific line I am not sure but a good educated guess is Aizu Shoami as they made many tsuba. Here is photos of both sides for your reference. Measurements of the tsuba is: height: 6.5cm, width: 6.0cm and 0.6cm thickness at mimi.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles