Edo Period Tosho Tsuba...

[Soshin]

Hi Everyone;

 

Here is a write up I am doing for a tsuba in my collection. I am still unsure what school or group this tsuba belongs to if any. The idea that the tsuba in the work of a independent artisan working in the early Edo period is possible. The iron of the tsuba is good quality with fine grain tekkotsu along the mimi. The surface is smooth (migaki-ji) highlighted all over with small dots called (ji-mon). These characteristics make me think is early Edo and not late Edo in age. Here is the write up and some scans. It was purchased on the Nihonto message board sale forum back in October of last year. The earlier owner was think it was a Tosho tsuba. I didn't know Toshu style tsuba used ji-sukashi like this in their designs. All questions, comments, and additional information is welcome.

Item Name: War Fan Sukashi Tsuba

Japanese Title: 軍配 の図地透鍔 (gunbai no zu ji sukashi tsuba)

Item Number: T21　　

Purchase Date: 10/25/2010

Material: Iron (tetsu 鉄)

Age: Early Edo (1615-1670) （江戸時代）

Size: 8.1 ✕ 8.1 ✕ 0.4 cm

Signature: Sada (定) 　

Shape: Maru-gata （丸形）

Openings: Kozuka-hitsu ana ( 小柄櫃穴)

Surface Finish: Migaki Ji (磨地)

Attachment: none

The ji-sukashi (地透) motif is in the design of a war fan. The mimi is lower then the seppai-dai. The rim is kaku mimi koniku. The overall shape, mimi style, blackish patina, and ji-sukashi design. The bottom and top have kuchi-beni which are semicircles of copper inlaid at the top and bottom of the nakago-ana (中心穴). On this specific tsuba the copper of the kuchi-beni have been removed. The patina is fine grossly black in texture and color. There is a single Kanji character sada (定) lightly craved on seppai-dai of the omote. Not sure if the Kanji is part of a signature (mei) or not.

This tsuba was once owned by the New Mexico collector Skip Holbrook and has the following notes hand written: “Edo Tosho, war fan, one character on seppa-dai: Sada = Upright”.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David S.

[Toryu2020]

Love the design!

-t

[Soshin]

Hi Thomas C.,

 

Thanks for the nice comment. :D The design reminded me of the high ranking samurai that would be directing the ashigaru (foot soldiers) during a battle using a large Gunbai (i.e. war fan) similar to the one featured on the tsuba. I find it interesting that a single kanji character (sada) 定 is written on the seppai-dai. Is it a partial mei or does it have some other meaning? Researching the tsubako that used (sada) 定 character in their name didn't get me very far. The shape and workmanship reminds me of the early generation Echizen Kiniai school. I don't know of any members of the school using the (sada) 定 character in the mei.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David S.

[Henry Wilson]

Hi David

 

The gumpai design could be reference to Hotei

 

They are also found in sumo too

 

I think we can safely say they represent authority, be it in battle or in everyday life. I would not be surprised if it was a family crest, but I can't find any references that support this.

 

As for 定 the meaning "fixed" could have a Buddhist meaning.

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%AE%9A

 

Just some thoughts.

[Henry Wilson]

I found this

 

http://www.mmjp.or.jp/tajimamori/sub8.htm

 

The google translation says:

”Features of this referee's fan, I say that the family crest Kodama monopoly.

If you have a family crest of the referee's fan, and know that their ancestors may Raretara Kodama clan. The crest used in the referee's fan is said to be exclusively divine Possessed. Kamakura engaged in the battle of emergency, the referee's fan displayed a strong say in decision-making with our God, which made about a feeling of awe to the enemy. The crest is first seen as a document of this referee's fan said, "The Rise and Fall Tadashi Hazime recorded" Awazu Article of the "party Kodama, pointing to the fan flag" phrase. The Mori Tadashi, Tooru Mori, the last article, "sitting in the dedicate seven chasing points Party Kodama fan flag." And listed.”

[Soshin]

Hi David

As for 定 the meaning "fixed" could have a Buddhist meaning.

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%AE%9A

Just some thoughts.

Interesting idea Henry, I was not aware of the meaning of the sada 定 Kanji and its association with Buddhist Samadhi. A constant "fixed" mediative state (i.e. Samadhi) is a common objective set in a Buddhist practice. I also wasn't aware that a gunbai was associated with Hotei. What role does the man with the gunbai have in a Sumo match? Is it possible a leadership or some role with authority? Thanks for the food for thought.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David S.

[Henry Wilson]

The man　is　the　referee.　　The　more　I　think　about　it,　the　more　I　am　sure　that　the　gumpai　in　your　tsuba　represents a family kamon.

 

There is an interesting　article　in　the　KTK　5th　catalog　called　"The　Mon　as　a　Design　Element　of　Tsuba"　　It　mostly focuses on natural Kamon, things like leaves and plants and how they are included into a tsuba design. It might be worth a read as it basically says that all images in tsuba have some sort of meaning, usually a family crest.

 

http://www.yamabushiantiques.com/BOOK58.htm

[IanB]

There you go. From Eiyu Tasa no Kamon (hole that's right translation of title)

Ian Bottomley

[IanB]

Oh dear, can't hit the right keys now Should say 'hope' not 'hole'.

Ian

[Henry Wilson]

That is a great scan Ian. Thank you for sharing. May I ask the source?

[IanB]

Henry, I think it is 'Eiyu Tasa no Kamon'. It is the modern publication of kamon of famous people. Although it does list the kamon used by various personages and families, the dozens of variant kamon on any particular theme tend just to be illustrated - annoying since invariably those are the ones you want to know about.

Ian

[Soshin]

Hi Ian,

 

Thanks for providing some additional information. I now agree that the design motif of my tsuba is a kamon in the shape of a gunbai. Looking a the list of variant kamon provided that all have a gunbai in them the following is a exact match to the design on my tsuba:

 

 

The resolution of scan prevents me from reading the Kanji for the family associated with kamon. Ian, could you provide a higher resolution scan of just this kamon that is a exact match to the design motif on my tsuba? Since the tsuba is of a specific family kamon then this tsuba might have been a custom piece which might also explain why it was not completely signed by the tsubako who made it. Another possibly is the sada (定) Kanji character is referring not to the tsubako in case of a incomplete mei but is associated with the person who might have commission the piece. Thanks again for everyone taking the time to help me.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David S.

[IanB]

David, To save rescanning and reducing size, it is as easy for me to send the translation:- It says 'Inner Fujiwara uchiwa' .

Ian