Steve Waszak

This is not, of course, one of THE Nobuie greats from the Momoyama age (hence the missing zeroes from the asking price here ), but it certainly is heavily influenced by their designs and workmanship. This is a somewhat extended mokko-gata iron sword guard, featuring a botanical motif, specifically vines and gourds on the ura, and what appears to be trumpet vine on the omote (unless the flowers depicted also belong to the same plant that produces gourds ). The motif is rendered in a sukidashi-bori manner to which has been added a yakite and/or acid treatment finish, making for a very pleasing overall effect. The plate surface around the motif elements is modeled subtly with a gently rendered tsuchime, which also is softened with the yakite/acid finish. The rim of the tsuba is finished with a kikko (tortoise shell pattern). The hitsu-ana are plugged with what I believe is lead. This Nobuie is a little hard to place. There were several later (Edo Period) Nobuie working in areas such as Owari, Echizen, Akasaka, and Kaga, among others. I can't say which one this smith may be, though the forming of the mei appears closest to Echizen or Akasaka Nobuie. Dimensions are 7.4cm x 6.7cm x 5mm. $240.00 plus shipping.

I'll PM you, Didier. And I need to clear my message log.

Next up is a late-Momoyama to earliest-Edo Period iron Ohno tsuba. This is a classic Ohno work, in that it is compact and powerful, measuring 6.5cm x 6.3cm x 4mm. The plate surface is coarse in texture -- typical for Ohno work -- and features large, bold tekkotsu in quite a prominent manner. This, too, is an element we associate with early Ohno sword guards. The Ohno workers were located in Owari Province, and are thought by many to have had some connection to Kanayama tsuba, as they share some stand-out features. Ohno tsuba tend to be even more compact and direct in asserting the strength of their designs and details. This piece has as its motif the triple tomoe. Despite its size, the tsuba presents with a fairly large nakago-ana, suggesting its intended use on a katana. A really solid tsuba from this school/group and from those times. $300.00 plus shipping.

The dominant feature of this tsuba is its weight. I do not have a scale handy, but it is among the heaviest tsuba I have ever held. I believe this is owing to its base material, which judging by this weight and the color, is a reasonably high-grade shakudo. A fukurin of silver(?), done in a roped design, and featuring fine, hairline embellishment, offers a wonderful contrast to the shakudo plate. The motif is kebori waves with scattered indaid family crests. I cannot determine with certainty the metal used to form the crests, but it would seem to be copper. The very deep tagane around the nakago-ana is reminiscent of the tagane seen on the sword guards of Hirata Hikozo. Is this guard Higo, then? It isn't really my area of focus and research. Those with more experience in the area of Higo tsuba may have a better read on this piece than I do. Once again, I must emphasize the rather stunning weight of this piece. At 7.8cm x 6mm, the sheer amount of metal here is impressive. This guard is far from my own personal area of focus (Owari Province tsubako), but I find it very appealing. $675.00, plus shipping.

Price drop on the Owari tsuba to $275. This is the one and only price reduction on this tsuba.

Tsuba such as these are often described as (Ko-)Tosho or (Ko-Katchushi), with the deciding factor often being the presence of a raised rim (Katchushi) or lack thereof (Tosho). Key features of both include well-forged iron and ko-sukashi motif elements, with the "busier" designs usually having the tsuba in question being labeled (Ko-)Katchushi. This particular sword guard, with its arrangement of sukashi elements (snowflakes and stars?) as it is, would likely find itself being labeled as (Ko-)Katchushi as a result. The surface of this tsuba displays some beautiful tsuchime, which complements the motif tastefully, I think. The color and patina of the piece are both very pleasing. The "Ko" designation when applied to Katchushi guards is usually reserved for pre-Momoyama works, I believe, so, to be conservative, I would label this tsuba as Katchushi, likely a product of the Momoyama Period. Dimensions are 8.1 cm x 2.5 - 3mm in thickness at the rim. $475.00, plus shipping.

Many thanks, Steve. Much appreciated!

I struggle at times with reading Dr. Torigoye's hakogaki. I would be grateful for help in translating this one. Many thanks.

Thanks, Bruno. Oh, and tsuba #2 is SOLD, pending funds.

Offering two ji-sukashi iron sword guards. The first is quite large at 8.4cm x 8.2cm x 5-5.5mm. It is a symmetrical, mutsu-mokkogata openwork design, featuring myoga (Japanese ginger) motifs to form the hitsuana. I believe this to be a late-Momoyama to early-Edo Period Owari tsuba. While the surface of the piece is fairly smooth, there are gentle tekkotsu and tsuchime in the rim. Overall condition is excellent. Owing to its size, the tsuba has a fairly striking presence, with a natural, mellow patina. $325.00, plus shipping. The second tsuba is a bit smaller at 7.9cm x 3mm. It presents with a rather "starker" design expression, with a dominant heavy cross motif centered within the marugata form. Triple tomoe add to the motif, with one present in ji-sukashi at each "arm" of the cross. Slender strips of iron shadow the central element of the cross, suggesting a lattice. A very striking design. I am unsure of the school here. I feel the rim is too narrow for Owari, the design a bit too bold and martial for a clear Kyo-sukashi attribution. Some might say ko-Shoami. Again, I am unsure myself. Condition of the tsuba is very good, with a subtle, natural patina (no oils, lacquers, or wax here). $275.00, plus shipping. If both tsuba are purchased together, I would offer them at 10% off, for $550.00, plus shipping.

Well done, Bobby. I saw this while visiting with the Itohs on Friday. Beautiful work. Congratulations.

This week only: Price drop to $475 (plus shipping).

Akasaka tsuba. Myoga (Japanese ginger) motif. Myoga was fairly often used in family crests, as it was believed to offer (divine) protection. Hence, it serves as an excellent subject in tsuba. This particular piece features powerful forms, both in the the rendering of the myoga elements and in the heavy rim, as well as in the boldly martial expression represented in the direct symmetry. The metal is beautiful: the clear grain, deep color, fine patina, and superb condition combine to create a gorgeous sword guard. The clean, uncluttered surface of the iron is relieved deftly via the fine carving of the details on the myoga elements. The seppa-dai is large and powerfully formed. The rim of the tsuba shows evidence of the forging, providing a subtle relief to the otherwise smoothly rounded contours. 76.5mm x 75.5mm x 6mm at the rim. $600 plus shipping.

Certainly sounds like a rabbit hole, but a very engaging and enjoyable one.