What is the name of this wood?

We see wooden tsuka like these (attached). I recall being told this was a very special wood, possibly from China. Can anyone tell me the name of this kind of wood and if it is actually grown in China, or if it a Japanese tree? The one example is on a mumei yoriodoshi tanto, the other from a mumei Mino tanto. Thanks! Ron STL

Ron,

both look strongly like Wenge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millettia_laurentii), an African hardwood.

I thought that it was rosewood.

Gotta say I'm stumpted. I have a ton of custom knife experience and can usually identify woods but not in this case.

Whatever it is, it's gorgeous.

Jean,

you are right about it looking like wenge but it is usually suggested that these are made from Indonesian ironwood. Without having the timber in hand it is very hard to say but here is an example,

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/ ... 77001&sid=

There are one or two similar examples in the Boston Museum catalogue and they are described as either ironwood or red sandalwood. http://database.prota.org/PROTAhtml/Pte ... xii_En.htm

Have fun.

Morning all,

The question arises in my mind, is it from indigenous Japanese species, or an exotic import?

Burmese Blackwood, Dalbergia Cultrata which is variously known as Khamphi Rosewood, Laos Rosewood looks close to it

http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-ide ... blackwood/

Here's the complete database for reference:

http://www.wood-database.com/

Brownheart, Wacapou, Vouacapoua americana was another thought, but that's from South America

Cheers

Good evening,

It can be Japanese cypress call hinoki (檜), use a lot in Japan because of its color aging very well and stay well in hand even if its wet.

Its a strong wood but still light.

Christ.

That isn't hinoki wood. Even if lacquered, that isn't the correct grain.

It is something else.

Brian

Gentlemen,

this wood is probably not of Japanese origin but some Asian wood as imports from Africa might have been difficult and unlikely in former times.

It certainly is not Padouk which has a reddish colour to it, or HINOKI which is a soft wood with a more homogenous colour. I have samples of all these woods in my shop. From the looks it could also be Burmese Blackwood (Dalbergia) and this could have been available to Japanese craftsmen.

But these are all guesses, a Japanese specialist will definitely know better.

Hi All.

Bear in mind that the examples I have seen so far are all late koshirae judging by the kinko fittings. This makes imports from Indonesia more easily achieved.

Definitive answers would come from an end grain micrograph but until then I'd be happy to go with Ogawa san.

All the best.

There are two woods most frequently seen as either tsuka or saya, these being red/purple sandlewood, called Zitan in Japan the other being ironwood. I think this one is Zitan.

There are a few examples similar in the Boston MFA catalogue and the lacquer artist Shibata Zeshin used it often too.

edit to add; I see Geraint got there before me :D That settles it then

Here are the kanji for those interested:

紫檀 [したん: SHITAN] n) rosewood ･ red sandalwood

Cheers Chris, much better images search results with the proper kanji.

This image shows nicely how the particular grain as seen on this tsuka is a result of cutting the wood at an angle through the direction of growth.

Thanks for the very interesting replies! In Kajihara's Glossery an example is noted at "karaki tsuka." I suspect this might translate to "wood tsuka" and not the type of wood, but I couldn't confirm this. Anyone have a proper translation of this? Ron STL

Karaki.. 唐木, China tree?, and as Shitan was known as the Emperor's tree in China perhaps a synonym. An image search using these kanji delivers similar images

Ah...that makes sense! That sounds like what I was told this wood was awhile back and that it came from China. If so, it would be interesting to know why this wood was imported and used on certain swords. Ron STL

Imported Dalbergia Latifolia!

Christian

see:(transverse sectional picture)

some explanatory info:

The wood of Dalbergia latifolia from tropical Asia is well known for its applications in high-class furniture, cabinet making and as a decorative wood used, for example, in passenger ships and for instrument cases. It is suitable for high-grade plywood and, owing to its beautiful colour and figure, for decorative veneer. Because of its strength and durability, it is suitable for all kinds of constructional work, doors, window frames and wagon building. It is also used for handles of heavy-duty hammers and axes and for agricultural implements such as ploughs, harrows and rollers. In cart and carriage building, it is used for wheel rims, spokes, poles and shafts. It is one of the most popular woods for carving and engraving. It is suitable for turnery and is excellent for high-class bentwood furniture, walking sticks, umbrella handles and other bentwood articles. It is also used for making musical instruments and sports equipment.

Dalbergia latifolia is used as a shade tree in agroforestry in India and Indonesia, for afforestation of eroded soils, and as a soil improver fixing nitrogen and providing mulch. It is also planted as a roadside tree and shade tree in coffee plantations. The foliage is used as fodder. Dalbergia latifolia yields a dark amber, strong flavoured honey. The bark is used in traditional medicine in India, to treat diarrhoea, indigestion and leprosy, and as a vermifuge.

Christian,

I'm not so sure about the natural remedies aspect. I tried Shitan bark for my leprosy but it still hasn't cleared up.

Christian,

 

I'm not so sure about the natural remedies aspect. I tried Shitan bark for my leprosy but it still hasn't cleared up.

Hi Ford,

This sure does explains the irritability then and to think up to this point I thought it was just a character flaw.

I traced down where I was told about this wood used on the tanto. Notes read: "This wood is called Tagayasan 驩・・譛ｨ(Bombay black wood), came from Indochina area . It was very precious wood due to difficulty of importation during old days." This came from a knowledgeable person, but Googling this name brings up site after site of fountain pens. Obviously this is/was used to dress fountain pens.

Ron STL