Higo-san

Dear Jason could you take a picture of the mimi (rim) or describe its shape (rather square, round etc)? Judging from the pictures provided, I would lean towards Kyo Sukashi early Edo. Kind regards Chris

It is actually an excellent exhibition - I am sure that Uwe‘s comment was meant as a joke. Best, Chris

See above

See below

No. 8 reads Ishiguro Masatsune (石黒政常).

No. 1 is a tough one... my best guess: 後藤光?（花押) = Gotō Mitsu? (Kao) 十七?代 = 17th ? generation As the 17 seems to be a reference to some kind of genealogy, the Mei could read Gotō Mitsuhira. Best, Chris

Hi Dirk, thank you for the reply. A very interesting kantei and obviously the NBTHK shinsa‘s opinion is far more educated than mine. BTW, I did not say that the design on your tsuba was not a design invented by the Hayashi school but rather that Hayashi designs were copied by other (including later Higo) schools which is proven by the fact that this very design appears in the Kamiyoshi Ehon. Best, Chris

Dear Ford, a very nice video - however, I do not believe that this is a Hayashi Tohachi tsuba. The piece lacks the very typical koban-shaped seppa-dai which can be perfectly seen on the reference tsuba in Sasano‘s book. Secondly, the elongated hitsu-ana is very untypical for Hayashi tsuba and reminds me of Tosa Myochin or later Higo pieces (again, the reference piece in Sasano’s book shows more typical Tohachi hitsu-ana). Last but not least, I cannot see (or imagine) a typical Hayashi tsuchime on the piece in question. Your kantei seems to be based primarily on the design - however (and I am sure you are already well aware of this), the mere design can be misleading as Hayashi designs were copied by many other schools. This is not meant as criticism but as a contribution to kantei. Best, Chris

Thank you again, Piers! All the best, Chris

Thank you for the time, Piers!!! I have also come to the conlusion that we are actually looking for at least two Kanji. The last is indeed Hachi. All the best, Chris

Many thanks Steve and John for the information - that is very helpful! I thought the second line read 大和 which is an old spelling for Yamato. But I think you are right that this actually reads 大和寺現住 meaning „who lived at Daisen-ji“.

Dear all, I would be very grateful for some translation assistance. I have already figured out some parts of the text: 十一月日 = A day in November 嘉永元歳 = First year of Kaei (=1848) 戌(Inu)申(Saru) = 1848 奇進人 = Kishinhito (perhaps a name?) The second picture is more tricky: 惠? 大和寺現住 = Yamato (a temple?) Ju 佐(藤原)三? = Son of ? ?作 = Made this Many thanks, Chris

Dear all, can someone read the single Kanji name on the left side? The right side reads „Bushu Ju“. Additional reference for this artist would also be appreciated. Best, Chris

Very interesting indeed! Thank you again, George!

Dear George, that was an amazing research work!!! Thank you so much for your assistance! I will also Google and try to find out more about this story. All the best, Chris

Thanks Arnold - I like your interpretation. A horizontal (falling leaves) and a vertical (moving paddle) movement make sense - like the movements of stars and planets as seen from earth. But I somehow believe this to be a very „Western“ interpretation of the subject. I was wondering whether or not there is a Japanese legend/saying/play which contains all elements seen on the tsuba. Best, Chris

Hi Arnold, you have to take several points into consideration: - the dimensions (I did not give away these in my first post because they are rather irrelevant for interpreting the subject) are 7.8 cm x 0.5 cm; you will find these dimensions on many Ko Shoami tsuba; - the rather elongated shape of the hitsu and in particular the shape of the kogai-ana; - the treatment of the surface (difficult to see on pictures); - the color and quality of the iron (even more difficult to see on pictures); - the shape of the rim: kaku mimi; - the piece is mumei; and last but not least: the design which brings us back to my original request ... Best, Chris

Dear all, I own a Muromachi/Momoyama-period Ko-Shoami tsuba with design of one paddle (kai), one oak leaf (shirakashi) and four stars/dots - does this ring a bell with someone? Would be interesting to hear an interpretation of this rather uncommon subject/combination of objects. Thanks and kind regards, Chris

SOLD

Congratulations to the SELLER!!!

Thank you both, Greg and Brian! Tsuba is still available (?!) - unfortunately, there will be no discount on this piece. Best, Chris

Thanks, Brian !

Dear fellow NMB members, I would like to pass one of my best tsuba – a beautiful Kyo Shoami sukashi tsuba dating back to the Momoyama/early Edo period. This tsuba is large and thick and is a very collectible piece by itself but would look great mounted e.g. on a Tensho koshirae, too. The design is five bundles each consisting of five pieces (this numerical game is rather typical for early Shoami pieces). The design may represent noshi which symbolize wishes for a long life. The tsuba is protected by a golden fukurin. Dimensions: 8.2 cm x 8.2 cm x 0.6 cm Asking price: a VERY modest SOLD Best, Chris

Dear Sergei, I believe that these could also be bonji characters. Anyway, this is definitely not a signature as these letters seem to have been added a long time after the piece was made. Regarding age: I would say no earlier than mid-Edo period. Best, Chris

John, I am afraid that there is nothing but the mekugi ana above the jikkan...