johnnyi

Second tsuba (with round hitsu ana) is sold

Here is additional photo of plate lamination. .

Tosho sold

The first is an ex-Doffin tsuba from several years ago which I've been unable to identify. (Checking out Grey's site may turn up more detailed pictures than I can provide, as well as provide fun window shopping) This tsuba is forged and layered and well patinated. It is skillfully carved, both with chisel and possibly with acid?. It' foliage is highlighted with subtle specks of gold. There is no evidence that it's rim was ever silvered, and tsuba appears unaltered. As Grey states, the more you look at it the more interesting it becomes. It is large, measuring 82 mm by 81.6 mm. Seppa is 4.1 mm , surface is 2.8 mm, and raised rim is 3.4 mm thick. $290 plus shipping The second tsuba (ex-Kolecki) is also a mystery to me. It has a beautiful feel to the iron, and has deep patination. It has been altered, in that there seem to be petals which have been stamped over with another crest. Other areas seem to show intentional obscuring of design. The pads on the large hitsu-ana seem to show one has been replaced, and there is another area of brass or copper just below a pad which sems to have been added also long ago. This tsuba is something special but I don't know what. Hopefully you do. 7.4 mm 3.5 mm thick $200 plus shipping

This is a small tosho tsuba with depiction of a daikon or possibly clove in sukashi. Nice patina. Dimensions are 77.1 mm tall 76.7 wide 2.4 mm thick at seppa 2.7- 2.8 at rim. Shape of hitsu-ana suggest momoyama.. $275 plus shipping

Sold

Tosho tsuba, The small round hitsu are consistent with early Muromachi or perhaps earlier. The paper simply says "Tosho". The iron is finely worked; easy to get lost in, The surfaces show a subtle design of rain; more pronounced on the ura, also consistent with an older piece. Height is 91.6 mm. Width 91.4 mm, Thickness 2.1. mm at seppa dai, 1.7 mm at rim. An outstanding piece demonstrating the finest in skill and execution. $600 plus shipping (with portion going to Brian)

Nice buy Dale. I was inspired by Richard's post also, and I sent away for a bargain basement used zoom, but no screen unfortunately. I have sent away for a camera which I am hoping will mount in one of the two tubes. I'm finding it easy now to see folded over rims as opposed to carved out rims on some of the old iron. Power is 40x at highest, but that seems enough. Have fun with yours! regards, John

Dale, there might be three problem areas, as it seems that there seems to be a crack that extends through the seppa dai and is visible on both sides. regards, John

A very long shot, but twelve links are a more obscure Buddhist symbol which sometimes relates to interconnectivity. John

Beautiful tsuba. Although the "fruit" bears a resemblance to what we often assume are either daikon or cloives, the vines might suggest newly formed gourds also, not unlike those on this very old kagami-shi. regards, John

The knot work is humble but lovely. Reminds me of the old timer's sea bags I'd see in the service years ago that were covered with the most ornate knotwork, and crown knots similar to what this has. Maybe a sailor's property?

Fruit or blossom on a branch does seem to be what it is. (Thanks again Thomas and Dale).

Here's the face. The insect and plum (?) blossom lend some weight to your idea of a fruit on the verso, but why the hole/doughnut shape on a fruit? It wouldn't be settling of the casting, because it seems consistent on all four, right?