Tsuba opinions please, thanks .

[kbt]

I just bought this tsuba, it was listed as edo period, I was wondering if anyone could help with the school style etc. The dragon on it has 4 legs, I heard that was for royalty, any truth to that ? Also the kazuka ana and the kogai ana are shaped

different than what I normally see, any idea why ?

Thank you

Kim Toth

[Lorenzo]

Powerful looking amaryu tsuba, congratulations. First time I've seen a kozuka-hitsu shaped like a gourd.

 

Provenance... :?

Satsuma..?

[kbt]

Thanks Lorenzo, so that is a gourd ? Any ideas why the other one is a rectangle, I believe I saw one other tsuba with a

rectangular kogai ana or kozuka ana.

Kim

[Lorenzo]

Older pieces shows times to times squared holes, but in this case I think the shape of both is an aesthetic choice.

[kbt]

Thanks again .

Kim

[Ford Hallam]

I'd suggest late Edo period Higo province work but of much higher quality than most similar works. Pleasing example and in pretty good condition

 

With a bit of study it might actually be possible to make an attribution as to maker as this is not generic work.

[pcfarrar]

It looks to me to be Jakushi school work. Quite a nice variation, one of the earlier generations I suspect.

[kbt]

Thank you both, I am very interested in learning anything I can about it . I have another I would like to figure out also

but I need to take it one tsuba at a time. Any chance you could point me in the right direction ?

Thanks

Kim Toth

[Lorenzo]

Ford gives me the hint to detail my early suggestion.

I said satsuma because artists living there was influenced by Higo artists (directly confining countries) but the piece shows some satsuma traits as well (taganemei). Last week I was fooled by a tsuba I considered to be Nishigaki. Shape was "nishigaki-esque" (like Ford's utsushi) but there was a dragon surrounding it, and it was papered as Satsuma.

I've no other reliable source of satsuma tsuba so I can't give a more detailed reply.

[kbt]

I have been told this is probably a Chinese tsuba . Can I please have your opinions, I'm so new to this its frustrating to

hear one thing from one source then something completely different from another. Could someone please but my mind at

ease .

Thank you

Kim Toth

[Bazza]

Well, since I know nothing about tsuba I'm pleased to take this opportunity to offer an opinion and maybe shoot myself in the foot!!!!

 

My first thought too was it looks like Jakushi work. I see only 3 claws on the dragon so definitely Japanese and not Chinese. I also think the "aesthetic" is very much Japanese.

 

Regards,

BaZZa.

[Lorenzo]

I don't see a clear link to nanban but I can understand why the person who suggested you that could think it.

[kbt]

Thank you both.

Kim

[Pete Klein]

I am wondering if this might be Shonai work, mid/late Edo. The raised seppadai and eclectic hitsuana and design remind me of their work.

[Baka Gaijin]

Morning all,

 

For a reasonably rounded resume of all things dragon try this:

 

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/dragon.shtml

 

Cheers

[kbt]

Thank you.

Kim Toth