Rodenbacher

Hi Chris, this is the often depicted story from the Heike Monogatari of Taira no Tadamori and the oil thief: https://egenolfgalle...ri-and-the-oil-thief

Copper Tsuba, late Edo, showing Shoki the Demon Queller. En suite Koshirae with copper Fuchi Kashira with the same topic and copper Menuki depicting a Hannya mask.

Thank you both! The Nakago-ana was altered heavily, so it's difficult to judge, if the artist was bad or another smith who altered it. The tail of the bird is not symmetrical, that's right - and the head of the bird isn't very elegant done, these are good points, Jean! But the best argument you mentioned is the strange form of what I called Tekkotsu. I own some Tsuba (Ko-Shoami, Kanayama etc) with real Tekkotsu and they look indeed different. And that's exactly, what concerns me....

Just visit me in Frankfurt, so we can meet and you can hold my Tsuba in your hands!

What is the reason for your opinion? I think it would help all of us if you could tell us a bit more. In fact I am really in doubt about the age of this piece and it would help a lot if I could understand your point of view.

Nice little Tanto Tsuba, late Edo.

I can see the similarities, but I can also see the differences in the two Tsuba surfaces. I don't think it's the same maker.

Hi Brian, it's nearly impossible to answer without seeing the backside of the Menuki, do you have a photo?

Thanks to all of you for your help and your kind words.

The more I study this Tsuba the more I think you are right...

Or am I completely mistaken and it's cast? There are no bubbles in the surface, the Sukashi walls show no seams of the casting moulds, the iron rings like a bell, when snapped with a fingernail... I really need your advice.

There is at least one of the irregularities, which is clearly a Tekkotsu - it's very difficult to take a photo of it, but it has the color of Iron, so it's no paint or lacquer:

Another one:

Close-ups show the irregularities:

Gentlemen, I need your help! Some years ago I bought this Tsuba, it was not expensive, but when I held it in my hands, I was really disappointed. At first I thought it was a casted copy, but after some time of studying I can guarantee, it's not. What puzzles me is the strange surface. It's smooth, but there are irregularities I have never seen on a Tsuba before. I don't know, what it is? Remnants of old lacquer? Old paint? A rather bad repatination?