4 Tsuba For Sale

[growlingbear]

Hi all

 

I have four tsuba that I am selling. They are located in the UK and I am happy to ship worldwide. Payment by PayPal, I will cover the fees but the buyer pays the postage costs. Once sold, I will make a donation to the board.

 

First one:

Sukashi Ko-Shoami guard which I believe dates to the late Muromachi period.

 

Measurements are 8.1cm x 7.9cm, and it is 4.5mm thick at the centre and 4mm thick at the rim.

 

The design of the guard is a Matsukawabishi type mon with two fundo (weights) motifs at the top and bottom. Quite a few variants of this design exist, often attributed to Owari or (ko) Shoami. I (in discussion with others more qualified than myself) believe this guard is Shoami due to the thinness of the plate, the shape of the seppa dai and the variation of thickness across the tsuba. The mimi shows tekkotsu and the surface of the tsuba has at one point been lacquered, much of which still remains.

 

More hi res pics on request, I'm asking or $220.

 

 

Thanks,

 

James

[growlingbear]

Second one:

 

A sukashi tsuba in the shape of two gourds, probably Higo and mid-Edo period.

 

Made of iron, measurements are 6.9cm x approx. 6.5cm, 5mm thick.

 

This design of tsuba is seen variously attributed to Higo artists – there is an example in the Oeder collection (number 411) attributed to Kamiyoshi, and an example in the September 2010 NCJSC newsletter (identical to this one) attributed to Yashiro Jingo. The two gourds theme is also seen in some Shoami work but this is usually accompanied with inlay, hence my Higo attribution. Some layering can be seen at the mimi.

 

More hi res pics on request, price $200

 

 

Thanks,

 

James

[growlingbear]

Third:

 

Sold to me as an anchor sukashi tsuba, but I think it represents the sun and moon. Not sure of the attribution here, but I think late Edo period.

 

Made of iron, measurements are 7.2cm x 7.2cm, 4.5mm thick at mimi, slightly thinner at the seppa dai.

 

A nice tsuba, would look good mounted. Unusual theme and in good condition. Made of fairly "uniform" iron, but some tekkotsu in the rim.

 

SOLD.

 

 

Thanks,

 

James

[growlingbear]

Final one:

 

Mokko gata tsuba with inlay. I would date this to the late Edo period.

 

Made of iron, measurements 8cm x 7.5cm, 3mm thick.

 

I bought this in a fairly poor state and have removed the surface rust. I bought it thinking it may be Higo, but having looked at it in hand I now think it is more likely Shoami. There are remnants of gold/brass inlay and there are the remains of silver nunome zogan showing that the original design was tendrils and leaves.

 

Price is $120, high res pics on request.

 

 

Many thanks, and let me know if there are any questions/requests for higher resolution pics for any of them.

 

James

[Curran]

PM sent a few minutes ago for the Anchor tsuba.

[vajo]

Curran with respect. I think i was a little bit earlier 

[Curran]

To quote General McAuliffe,

"Nuts!"

[Pete Klein]

ROFLMAO...!

[Stephen]

Bring out the dragon's...lol

[Vermithrax16]

I like the Mokko gata tsuba but I can't start buying tsubas too!

[Curran]

Congrats to Chris on the quick-draw.

 

I understand the uncertainty on the attribution to #2.

Though sometimes a Higo design, these often go to Ono too.

See: http://www.yamasiroya.com/tsuba/post_12.html

 

Also, another variation with different mimi:  http://www.yamasiroya.com/tsuba/post_9.html

Again given to Ono.

 

At $200, yours is a bit more affordable and easy on the wallet than the 150,000 yen example [ ! ]

[growlingbear]

Thanks Curran for the extra information - so now it could be Higo, Shoami or Ono! It is quite similar to the first of the examples that you linked to and has now got even cheaper:

 

Sukashi Ko-Shoami: $180

Gourds: $180

Mokko-gata: $100

 

Thanks

 

James

[growlingbear]

Nearly a year later and these three are still available... Final price reduction to:

 

Sukashi ko-shoami: $140

Gourds: $150

Mokko-gata: $80

 

As before, buyer pays the shipping and I will cover the PayPal costs.

 

Thanks

 

James

[vajo]

Mail sent for ko-shoami

[growlingbear]

Ko-shoami now sold