A Ko-Shoami tsuba?

[docliss]

I have attached below an image of a small, openwork tsuba of black sand-iron, depicting a chrysanthemum blossom and vegetation in positive silhouette. It is tate-maru-gata, measuring 6.6 cm – 6.2 cm – 0.5 cm. The blossom, in the upper segment of the guard, has its petals detailed in low relief, and the leaves, in the lower segment, have kebori detail. There is a single kozuka-hitsu, and the worn nakago-hitsu, in a koban-gata seppadai, has dark copper sekigane. There are numerous tekkotsu in the mimi.

 

Do the members agree with my attribution of this work as being Ko-Shōami of the Momoyama period?

 

John L.

[cspage]

John, living under the assumption that there's no such thing as a silly question, I would be interested in a written evaluation of the sekigane aspect of this tsuba. It appears there are two, but they seem to be also of iron as the body of the tsuba. What is going on here? Just fishing for info. Thanks.

 

Colin

 

p.s. Could you elaborate on what features made you decide on Ko-Shoami? Much appreciated.

[docliss]

Colin, thank you for your enquiries. There are, indeed, sekigane both at the top and bottom of the nakago-hitsu, and these are of dark copper.

 

My reasons for (tentatively) attributing this tsuba to the Ko-Shōami school are as follows:

• the shape, size and thickness are all appropriate for that group;

• the katchūshi type plate, with its coarse tempering;

• the tsuba’s obvious age;

• the absence of any mei;

• the positive silhouette openwork;

• and the koban-gata seppadai.

 

But I may well be guilty of looking for features which would confirm my attribution, but could equally well apply to another.

 

John L.

[Soshin]

Dear John L.,

 

I would agree your tsuba is likely Ko-Shoami dating to some time during the Momoyama period or is a very early Edo period Shoami tsuba. The small size makes me think early Edo but other factors such as the rim do remind me of Momoyama period Ko-Shoami work. I would like to hear the opinions of more experience members of the board. Thanks for taking the time to share photos of your nice tsuba.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David S.