sanjuro Posted December 8, 2010 Report Posted December 8, 2010 Hi all. Sorting through the bits box, I came upon this set of FK and a tsuba that matches them. I got these some time ago (like twenty years back), and have never been able to properly classify them as anything more than Edo period pieces, which is why they are in the bits box. Not because they are Edo period but more because I have not bothered (or had the leisure for that matter), to research them. The tsuba I thought was a cast piece may not be, since there are signs of layering in the hitsuana and a hint of tekkotsu on the mimi. But really I dont know and cant make up my mind. Any observations would be welcome, and dont be afraid of criticism as I am fairly ambiguous about this set. Quote
Eric H Posted December 8, 2010 Report Posted December 8, 2010 Sorry, IMHO this is super low stuff...is it worth to discuss? Eric Quote
Soshin Posted December 8, 2010 Report Posted December 8, 2010 Hi Keith, Could you post some photos of the actives at the rim and hitsuana of the tsuba you describe on your post? If you can't I fully understand as it isn't really easy to photograph such fine detail. For the tsuba in question I have seen this motif frequently on tsuba listed on eBay. Yes before anyone asks I am still spending time looking for a "diamond in the rough" so to speak on eBay. The quality as Eric states is fairly poor in my opinion as well. The tsuba also shows some condition issues in regards to red rust around the dragon design that are independent of the quality. Yours truly, David S. Quote
sanjuro Posted December 8, 2010 Author Report Posted December 8, 2010 Eric. That's pretty much what I thought, but it never hurts to check. Tsuba and tosogu of this period are pretty much out of my area of expertise and interest. That's another reason they have lain in the bits box for so long. David. I'll see if I can capture some of the mimi details. The close up of the kogai hitsu ana shows a little of the layering I suspected. Quote
sanjuro Posted December 9, 2010 Author Report Posted December 9, 2010 David. Attached is the best I can do with the mimi details. Camera and photographer just not up to anything better. The upshot of it all however is that this is a low end tsuba with a rust problem. This and the FK set go back to the bits box ! Quote
Marius Posted December 9, 2010 Report Posted December 9, 2010 Keith, I am afraid that your first impression was correct. This seems to be a cast tsuba, with the seems filed down. No tagane, no clear seppa-dai.... no detail, a constricted design... Quote
Soshin Posted December 10, 2010 Report Posted December 10, 2010 sanjuro said: David. Attached is the best I can do with the mimi details. Camera and photographer just not up to anything better. The upshot of it all however is that this is a low end tsuba with a rust problem. This and the FK set go back to the bits box ! Hi Keith, I don't think that out of focus feature is a tekkotsu on the mimi. I would say that it more likely a casing flaw or some very heavy rust. A quick trick to tell is to use some hard wood, dry bamboo, bone, or horn and see if it comes of with some rubbing. If it is rust it would start to wear off if it is a iron casting flaw or a tekkotsu it would not be effected by the rubbing. It might not be worth it as the tsuba is likely case and any iregulaties in the surface of the rim are the result iron casting flaw. I purchased one cast tsuba and I returned to where it came eBay. I was just nice enough to say that it was cast in the item description when I listed. Just my two cents. Thanks for sharing and the discussion. Yours truly, David S. Quote
sanjuro Posted December 10, 2010 Author Report Posted December 10, 2010 Thanks guys. Its always good to have confirmation. :D Quote
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