Tsuba with tea utensils - attribution?

[Marius]

Hello,

 

I have only these bad pictures, but I am very interested in this tsuba. I have no dimensions, will provide them later. My guess is:

 

 

Akao

 

 

What do you think?

[Mark Green]

Wow, I really like that one.

I was thinking Akasaka.

[Marius]

Wow, I really like that one.

I was thinking Akasaka.

 

Interesting lead... Thanks

 

Not quite convinced, though...

[Martin]

I would also say Akasaka.

 

Kantei points for me are:

- the full round Mimi

- the quite "modern" execution of the motiv (lack of symmetry)

- the arangement of Tagane marks around the Nakago-Ana

- the faint Kebori

 

Best,

[Marius]

I would also say Akasaka.

 

Martin,

 

Many thanks, that sounds convincing, although I haven't seen this particular motive in Iki Na Sukashi Akasaka Tsuba...

[Aloof Pegasus]

Hi Mariusz

 

I agree with your guess and I really like the tsuba.

[ububob]

Think I'll go along with your spoiler.

[Martin]

Think I'll go along with your spoiler.

 

Well then, bring up some Kantei-points for Akao ?

What makes you think it was made by this group?

[Aloof Pegasus]

Yes that's right, Martin!

 

I wonder if it's dished?

 

Seppa dai does not seem Akasaka style.

 

I think this flattened mimi and slightly 2 dimensional look is more Akao than Akasaka.

 

However I agree the tagane mannerisms don't seem typically Akao.

 

Mariusz what's your feeling about the texture of the iron? It looks soft in the pic.

 

Akao can exhibit;

 

鉄槌目地 Tetsu tsuchime-ji Iron hammered surface

 

土手耳 Dote-mimi A rounded raised rim

 

耡下毛彫 Sukisage KeBori Line carving of consistent depth and width

 

Starting to waver, not sure the quality is there.

[Marius]

Mariusz what's your feeling about the texture of the iron? It looks soft in the pic.

Alas, I am not the owner of this tsuba... I asked him how it feels, I hope I'll get an answer :-)

[Michael 101]

I am also convinced its Akasaka school for all the reasons already stated plus the iron colour.

 

From the punch marks visible at the top of the nakago ana and the inward sloping seppa dai towards the ana - I would say possibly the work of the 4th master.

 

Would be interested to see the mimi - I would expect linear tokotsu and also for it to be fairly robust in terms of thickness maybe 6 - 7mm

 

Very Nice tsuba. Thanks for showing.

Kind regards

Michael

[Marius]

Thanks for all input, I do appreciate it

 

Some additional data on this tsuba:

Dimensions: 74/71/6 mm.

Thickness in seppa-dai and on the mimi is the same. Some close-up pictures attached. That is all I have got from the owner...

[Henry Wilson]

I would go Akasaka too, for the reasons above. Also I think the punches around the nakago ana are the kind you see in some Akasaka guards

[Lorenzo]

In the top part of the first picture of your last post Mariusz, I see layered(laminated) steel

[Marius]

In the top part of the first picture of your last post Mariusz, I see layered(laminated) steel

 

Lorenzo,

 

I think what you see is part of the decoration - it is the bamboo ladle (hishaku)

[Henry Wilson]

I was thinking layered steel too, (around the nakago ana) which is not a bad thing at all...

[Lorenzo]

akasaka to me.

[Lorenzo]

I think what you see is part of the decoration - it is the bamboo ladle (hishaku)

 

 

this is what I mean:

 

[Marius]

Thanks for your thoughts, I do appreciate it

 

Now, what do you think about a tsuba with a similar motif, that has come to me with the attribution to Akao?

[Henry Wilson]

I am not familiar with the Akao school so can't comment. As a thought the seppa dai is very distinct which could be a factor. Overall the design seems a bit rigid compared to the last one.

[Curran]

1st Tsuba: Akasaka.

I'd say 4th generation or a student of 4th gen.

 

2nd tsuba: not Akasaka or very late Akasaka

[cdl]

Hello,

 

I'm very intereseted in this tsuba if by chance one day you want to sell it ... your price will be mine. 

 

Bests regards 

[Pete Klein]

Tosa Myochin.

[Brian]

8 Years later Stephane?
I am sure it is long gone by now.
Pete, I bet you are correct, but what kantei points led you there?

[cdl]

I send already a message but got no answer unfortunately ... I call this "patience" :-) 

 

Who knows ... maybe I can trace it ... for exemple I found this kogai 1 year later ... 

[Pete Klein]

Brian - the tagane on the seppa can sometimes be seen on Tosa Myochin tsuba.  They did many tsuba in the Akasaka style.  If not TM I'd say Akasaka.

[cdl]

Hello,

 

You stil have this tsuba ? ... I have two Akasaka from different periods ... always same theme

[cdl]

... older one ... 

[cdl]

... "Let's hurry to succumb to temptation before she walks away."  

 

Epicure

[cdl]

Brian - the tagane on the seppa can sometimes be seen on Tosa Myochin tsuba.  They did many tsuba in the Akasaka style.  If not TM I'd say Akasaka.

 

Hello, 

 

If by chance somebody see this tsuba I'd like to propose 1500$ ... without hurting or shockin anybody. 

 

Bests regards 

 

Stephane