Possible Yagyu Tsuba...

[Soshin]

Recently purchased this tsuba as a possible Yagyu tsuba of the early Edo Period (circa 1615-1670). The following are the major kantei points for my attribution. The brownish-black iron has a grainy and glossy appearance to it. Lamination folds are very apparent on the surface of the tsuba as well as on the walls of the sukashi and kozuka and nakago hitsu-ana. The rim shows a fine granular concave tekkotsu (i.e. iron bones) as well. The size of the tsuba is large if it is a Yagyu tsuba at 7.7 cm diameter and is completely round. The thickness at the rim at 5 mm and 4 mm at the seppa-dai.

 

 

 

The rim is square shaped (kaku-mimi) charactersitic of the Yagyu tsuba group. The Ji-sukashi design is called shippo(七寶) "seven treasures" a Buddhist motif for which I have observed variations of in notes of the Yagyu family tsuba design book. Below are the notes I was referring that I copied from Tsuba An Aesthetic Study by Dr. Torigoye and Robert E. Haynes. The overall shape is different but the ji-sukashi design is the same.

 

 

I would like others opinions, comments, and questions about my analysis and the tsuba itself. I was talking to the tsuba original owner on Friday by telephone and he said that it could also be a Momoyama Period work of the Ono school of Owari province that would make along with other schools Yagyu tsuba in the Edo Period. I also noticed that his notes said it was a possible Bizen Suruga school work but the iron and the ji-shukashi design doesn't fit well with this school at least to the extent of my limited knowledge of that school's work.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Henry Wilson]

Hi David

 

Nice tusba. Do you have pictures of the tsuba straight on, without light shining across it?

 

From what I can see in the pictures, it does seem to have characteristics of Yagyu but my initial impression is that it is pushing the boundaries in size. For maru gata, I would expect 7.0 cm to 7.5 cm. Also the sukashi (which I would call itomaki) I think is not elaborate enough and the tsuba generally lacks a boldness for any Owari school. The metal looks well forged but Yagyu should be slightly more granular I think.

 

Here is a information form Sasano (silver book) p.205

Yagyu guards are relatively small with thick squared rims and bold, interesting designs. The iron is coarse grained and cloudy. The rims may be smooth or have a straight forging pattern. They are not noted for their sophistication or elegance, however they do express the discipline of martial arts, Renya's enthusiasm and peaceful climate of the times. Since Renya's death, copies of Yagyu designs continued until the sword abolition law was enacted in 1867.

I think comparing the posted tsuba to the above summary would make me exclude Yagyu and think Shoami and possibly Ko Shoami.

 

And finally, a classic late Yagyu.

http://www.nihonto.com/11.2.09.html

 

Just my two yen worth.

[Soshin]

Hi Henry,

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply and discuss. Here is a photo per your request of the tsuba straight not at a angle from NMB member and fellow NBTHK member Grey D. who I purchased it from. Part of the reason I did that in the original photos was I just love the very complex texture and glossiness of the iron on the surface of the tsuba.

 

 

In terms of age and attribution you might be right about Ko-Shoami. I don't think Shoami as I have some Edo Period Shoami pieces to compare it to and iron of this tsuba is considerably more heterogeneous with actives. The design of this tsuba is also more simplistic and refined. The design either Shippo or Itomaki (I have seen both Japanese terms for this design.) has a very nice refined antique appearance that I don't see in any Yagyu tsuba from the Edo Period. Looking forward to seeing other peoples impressions and ideas about this tsuba.

Here is a quick edit showing a good example of Edo Period Shoami craftsmanship: http://www.nihonto.com/6.2.11.html. Notice the greater complexly of ji-sukashi design and the use of much more refined iron. Both are characteristics I have commonly seen in Edo Period Shoami school work.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[RobertM]

Looks bushu to me

 

rob m

[Henry Wilson]

Looks bushu to me

Thanks for the input but don't be shy and please explain how you came to that conclusion as it could be a car wheel as well .

[Soshin]

In terms of the Bushu attribution for which I think Rob M. is referring to the Ito school located in Bushu during the Edo Period I really don't see attribution points which indicates this school. I was playing around with my computer's scanner and came up with this scan of the omote side. It should be helpful as there is no angle to the tsuba when it was scanned. Let me know what you think.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[christianmalterre]

Dear David

 

well,at least myself i do think-so to answer on your´s question-No-not yet!

equally i do think that Rob did not per se mean the Ito school-but rather the general term of "Bushu"-so "Country"-"Field"-"Not spcific"-"Out of the general classified"-"Out of specific"-(school)(?)-...work.

You are right-it does show some nice things in it´s metallurgy-but for certain-No Yagyu.

Christian

[RobertM]

Sorry for my vague response. I based my guess on the design as I've seen a similar designed signed bushu tsuba.

[ububob]

David, I like your scanner work. How did you suppress the shadows?

[Soshin]

Hi Bob H.,

 

I was reading the PDF titled Using a Scanner for Photographing Small Items by Richard K. George from the NMB website. It recommend scanning items with the scanner cover completely open which will give the scan a darker background with better contrast. I scanned my tsuba with the scanner cover open and left the brightness and contrast at the default settings and setting the resolution high at 2400 dpi. The scanner I am using is a HP Deskjet F380 All-in-One Printer, Scanner, Copier. I also adjusted the color a bit using the Windows Live Photo Gallery software. I then re-sized image using Windows 7 Paint program to make it small enough to upload to the NMB webiste. I hope this answers your question. The scan really turned out nice.

 

Hi Rob M.,

 

The Shippo-mon sukashi design is a really common design motif found in almost every tsuba school and I am sure some "country work" as well. I am sure the Bushu, Ito school has done this design before. The craftsmanship (i.e. how the common design is executed) is more important for attribution purposes when dealing with such a common design. Here is a link to an example of the same Shippo-mon sukashi design done with very different craftsmanship: http://www.aoi-art.com/fittings/tsuba/F11095.html. Notice the differences in color and texture of the iron, overall size and shape, and style of rim.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Curran]

I don't think this one Yagyu.

However, I have seen a near identical one papered to Yagyu by the NBTHK. I didn't think it quite Yagyu either.

 

Why no photos or images of the mimi?

If it doesn't show the Yagyu layers in the mimi- just safer to assume this one is not Yagyu.

[Soshin]

I don't think this one Yagyu.

However, I have seen a near identical one papered to Yagyu by the NBTHK. I didn't think it quite Yagyu either.

 

Why no photos or images of the mimi?

If it doesn't show the Yagyu layers in the mimi- just safer to assume this one is not Yagyu.

Hi Curran,

 

Interesting that the NBTHK would paper a near identical tsuba to Yagyu. From looking at what little I have of notes taken from Yagyu family design book they did work with something that looks like the shippo-mon design done in sukashi. Do you remember the measurements of the tsuba was it about the same size? I am not really sure what this tsuba is so I might just submit it to shinsa.

Here are my photos of rim. I hope they are helpful to the discussion.

 

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Henry Wilson]

Interesting that the NBTHK would paper a near identical tsuba to Yagyu.

 

I think the key kantei point with Yagyu is the type of metal and more specifically the granular surface.

 

Just some thoughts.

[Soshin]

I think the key kantei point with Yagyu is the type of metal and more specifically the granular surface.

 

Just some thoughts.

Hi Henry,

 

I would agree but with the caveat that there are other schools in the Owari area that did produce similar iron. The Futogo Yama (二子山) school as well as the earlier Ono school being two of them. The specific design is also an important kantei point when dealing with Yagyu tsuba. Just my two cents.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Henry Wilson]

The specific design is also an important kantei point when dealing with Yagyu tsuba. Just my two cents.

 

I agree there David.

 

Time for lunch!!!

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