Face Tsuba - translate help please

Dear Gentlemen,

Can anyone please help translate this mei please. If furthermore you have info on school/age, I am all ears.

Thank you.

Maybe Tadamitsu?

love the two faces on the back...maybe describing the barbarians?

Interesting that it has two mimis. I have never seen that before.

It btw measures 87,5 x 79,5 x 4,5 mm

love the two faces on the back...maybe describing the barbarians?

good call Stephen. took me several tries and then it popped.

Look's like a tsuba perfect (if extremely creepy) for a cutting test sword... :?

Same opinion as Chris, it seems to be TADAMITSU (ca. 1850-1900)

Haynes index says : "Iron plate tsuba carved as semi profile severed head, in rather naturalistic style."

Beautiful piece,

A pair of severed heads, not from Tameshigiri (Suimono-giri) but from battle. Very auspicious (for a head hunter). Two mimi? you guys miss nothing...

-t

Thank you very much for your help and kind comments.

@ Florian --> Interesting and thanks for checking. Does Haynes tell what school Tadamitsu belong?

I cant find anything elsewhere. Does any other have a Tsuba by this Tadamitsu or similar "head" tsuba, I would love to see.

Are these tsuba rare?

In the Kinko Meikan, there is a TADAMITSU who has a similar Mei.

It says : "Musashi province, Student of Goto Injo, lived in Edo.

Grade = A - Ryoko

But I can't confirm that this TADAMITSU is the same as on the Haynes. The Mei is very similar but not exactly the same way to sign.

Anyway, it's a nice Tsuba and I haven't seen many like this.

Something very slightly simiiar. This was lot 52 sold at Christie's, London, 30th October 1973. It was from the collection of Daniel Grataloup. " A kashira-gata iron tsuba carved as Daruma, the eyes inlaid in gold - 6cm. unsigned, 18th century" Sold for 55 guineas.

Mick

My big thanks to all who was so kind to involve and give such kind help.

Best regards