Tsuka...era?

[Stu W]

Hello guys,

 

As I sort through several items I've come across questions arise that I'd like assistance with. You have answered my tsuba question and now I'd appreciate your thoughts on this item.

 

In short, is it possible to give a reasonable estimation of it's age? I don't yet know what visual clues there are with this sort of item so even the most rudimentary information will be of benefit to me. The fuchi and kashira are attracted to a magnet and came with the tsuba I posted the other day so possibly also Edo period. Edo period does cover quite a few years though so if it can be narrowed done so much the better. There is quite a bit of scroll work on the kashira. I've been able to capture some for viewing but not all. Hopefully what the photos will show is sufficient to be of assistance.

 

Regards,

Stu

[Stu W]

2

[sanjuro]

Hi.

 

Your tsuka is an Edo period piece IMHO. Handachi style, similar to tachi but without the sarute. (Handachi means half Tachi).

The iron fuchi and kabuto gane are inlaid with a design in wire similar to, but not quite the same as heianjo style. This was a fairly popular style of fitting of that period. It would be helpful to see the rest of the complete koshirae in order to be sure. :D

[Stu W]

Hello Keith,

 

Thank you for the prompt reply.

 

This piece came with a perfectly fitted tsunagi and very loose tsuba. There is a gap between the habaki and the fuchi of about 13mm. The tsuba is only about 5mm wide so I doubt it was original to that set-up. Here is a link to the "tsuba" thread...

 

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8679

 

Would there have been 8mm worth of seppa? Seems a lot but I am new to this so may well be incorrect.

 

For quick reference I'll add a photo of the tsuba to this thread.

 

Thank you for your continued assistance.

 

Regards,

Stu

[Basho12]

The handachi mounting was favored by the samurai who supported the Emperor's faction against the Tokugawa prior to the Meiji Restoration, which would tend to place it fairly late Edo. A picture of the rest of the koshirae might be helpful. I don't think it's an absolute (was anything?), but I'd expect to see a mokko-gata style tsuba with a handachi mounting.

[Stu W]

Hello Richard,

 

Thank you for this additional information. I'll study up on the mokko-gata style tsuba.

 

Regards,

Stu

[sanjuro]

Hi Stu

 

The only observation I can make concerning the 8-10mm gap between fuchi and habaki is that possibly this tsuka may not be original to the blade (or in this case the tsunag)i. Such a wide gap would not usually have been filled with seppa. It may of course be as you suggest not an original tsuba and the original tsuba was thicker, but not usually to the equivalent of three sets of seppa unless the original was a tachi tsuba. The other possibility is that the habaki is either a later addition or has been altered which is less likely.

Unfortunately, many 'koshirae' being sold today as old items were actually assembled from disparate parts, and this could be the case with yours. That is not to say the quality of the parts is bad, only that they are not original koshirae in the sense of being a full matched set. May I ask where you acquired this koshirae?

[Stu W]

Hello Keith,

 

Indeed these may well be "parts" not previously matched though the tsunagi does seem to fit the tsuka so well that it appears to have been made for it. Possibly that's not unusual as the placement of the mekugi anna may be somewhat standardized. I don't know. The more I think on it though the more I wonder about that because even though it fits it seems unlikely that the maker would have left such a large gap to fill with tsuba and at least half a dozen seppa.

 

Moving on, you asked about the acquisition. Well, at times I acquired odds and ends such as these and now that I'm getting into the study of nihonto more fully I want to make them presentable for display. If you were concerned that a dealer may have sold them to me, possibly with less than full disclosure, rest assured that was not the case.

 

Regards,

Stu

[Toryu2020]

Keith et al -

I'm inclined to say this is 20th century - the fittings are older but the weave, color and style of wrap suggests to me later work. Pre-war certainly but not much older. The key actually though is in the wood itself. Can you show us a photo of the wood under the fuchi and the inside of the handle? The true age will be readily apparent I believe...

-t

[sanjuro]

I agree the wood is a good guage of age. It was only the fittings that I was judging this whole assembly on, and I hadnt actually taken the tsuka ito into consideration on this, simply because a re wrap has almost inevitably been done on most usable intact tsuka over a couple of centuries old. The same' has an Edo look about it though, the grains are a little large for the usual prewar tsuka.

[Stu W]

Hi Guys,

 

Here are several photos that I hope will further the discussion. If something more is needed please advise and I'll see to it. For what it's worth, the tsuka ito is as hard as rock. Appears to have been in place a long time. I've tried to locate photos that show the same wrap pattern. Those that come closest are from the early to mid 1800s. As a rank beginner though I reserve the right to be wrong. :lol:

 

Regards,

Stu

[Stu W]

Here's a general sizing photo and two of the interior of the fuchi.

 

Regards,

Stu

[Toryu2020]

Stu -

If I had to say I would venture that it is no more than 100 years old maybe 200. Tsuka and saya were used up with everyday wear and most of what we see is late Edo or Meiji work. The fittings do look like they could be older, but to my eye the wood is pretty fresh...

-t

[Stu W]

  Toryu said:

Stu -

If I had to say I would venture that it is no more than 100 years old maybe 200. Tsuka and saya were used up with everyday wear and most of what we see is late Edo or Meiji work. The fittings do look like they could be older, but to my eye the wood is pretty fresh...

-t

 

Hello Thomas,

 

Thank you for your comments. They certainly fit with what others mentioned above. I understand that in nihonto terms 100 years old is pretty recent. I like that. Makes this grandfather feel young again! I think I'll look around for a mokko-gata style tsuba and a couple of appropriately shaped seppa to add to it for a little display.

 

My thanks and regards to you all for your assistance.

Stu