Curran

Hi Steve, See the NBTHK papers here for the kanji for Ono. https://www.bonhams.com/auction/21861/lot/112/an-ono-tsuba-late-muromachi-period-16th-century/ Ono tsuba: (1) because less is written in English about them and (2) for a while the NBTHK used the attribution for Owari tsuba where they were not sure- ==== They do not get the respect they deserve. Sometimes they are nicer than the best Kanayama. I own the one from Bonhams link above, and also this other Tokugawa mon monster. 17 large tekkotsu and it weighs in around 165 grams.

that should have read 'provenance'. I too hope to see it in person some day.

That is a pristine beast. Given that it was displayed at the NBTHK Museum, are you able to find its providence? I have the strong feeling this was owned by someone historically important.

Time to get my copy too.

Nice bit of detective work there. @Spartancrest (Dale) Thank you for sharing this. Some very interesting unique tsuba, and a good point about seeing both sides of a tsuba.

$1700 then? 36 hours until I leave for Chicago. The lighter I can travel, the better. Curran

@cluckdaddy76 yes, I do think it is a ko-kinko that has been repurposed a few times. It was probably "in service" a long time. The kozuka ana was cut through the design work, implying it happened later. The nakago ana has been reshaped- expanded, then later filled with copper sekigane. Sekigane 1, 2, possibly 3. This tsuba probably started out as a tanto tsuba has probably seen several blades of various sizes and shapes over a period of ??? There is a simple honesty to some ko-kinko works that is unintentionally Zen when you think the little fellow has survived how many centuries and seen how much mileage on various blades with various samurai or soldiers. The ratios of metals in the shibuichi are less than perfect, and the designs are simple but often slightly hypnotic. The not quite ideal metal mixes, patinas, and colors create quite a kaleidoscope of works that are quite a beautiful gallery defying the more codified classifications we give most Edo era works. Note: if you are taking it to a bench jeweler, very few of them are going to have any knowledge of some of the exotic mixes and patina formulas used in Japan. While they pick up books on the Japanese metalwork, very few actually have experience. Consider their opinions as "educated guesses".

Love Poem origin of the design: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/39664

more pics.

$1750 + shipping. See Pics and PM interest or questions, including anything about shipping.. --I paid off the Juyo tsuba. ---Now paying off the down payment on the new(ish) car. The olde Jaguar was ready to go heaven. This is a top notch Jingo being sacrificed towards that end. [Note: Going forwards, it is going to be very hard to get custom boxes made in Japan] Curran in Southeastern USA

Please consider shibuichi as a material. Given the ko-kinko appearance and possible age of the tsuba, you should consider the possibility of shibuichi that has an imperfect silver-copper ratio. Very glad it was not cleaned by the jeweler, as it might have taken a long long time to get the correct patina back.

Kashu ju Ietsugu. Ietsugu tend to be Kaga (Kashu) smiths. An Iyetsugu was my first work. Decent shinto work. A bit challenging to say "what generation"

The passing of the Olde Garde, or pillars of the last generation. Of the 3, Skip was the quietest and most difficult to get to know. Yet, I think I knew him best. We often talked at shows, and eventually came to exchange phone calls now and then.

Errrrrrhhhmmm. No. As Brian said, this is almost 99.9% regarded as Wisteria. Unusual and interesting tsuba that you showed to start the thread. Newbies sometimes come up with interesting items. Nearly 30 years ago, I had some menuki of "drunk gaijin under the streetlamps viewing sakura". I eventually sold them........ .......and have never quite seen something similar since. They would never have been considered 'valuable', but they were certainly unique. Your odd configured tanto tsuba is something equally unique. 30 years in, and I don't recall seeing anything quite like that. Maybe not super valuable, but definitely something rare to unique.

If that one were not signed, I don't think I could have placed it as Issei Naruki. I owned a very good Kamiyoshi of this design for about 3 years. Yet the design goes much further back in the Higo Schools. You coming to Chicago? If so, I might be so bold to ask you to bring a specific tsuba. This last year I've spent a lot of time getting to know a specific artist, and I believe you have a great example of his work.

I thought "Revival Piece". Nice effort, with proportions a bit more modern in cutting. What is the size? The larger Revival ones enjoy a good degree of popularity, as the ko-kinko ones are often smaller and sometimes harder to appreciate in their relatively diminutive state.

Moderating comment: keep it clean I like the Echizen Thunder n Rain n Buddhist Wheels tsuba. I think I have seen a similar example published in one or two places.

Darcy would have loved this. He liked turtles and used one as his avatar for a long time. That f/k is pretty exceptional. Is the fuchi signed?

Wow. That is friggin lovely. Incredible looking fuchi. I'm glad I checked back in on this thread.

This photo helps a lot. I admit that I initially thought it cast. Now I think it is not cast, but rather has been coated with something akin to clear lacquer or varnish. It would both make the tsuba look "wet" AND mute the appearance of the tsuba in a way that looks like many of the cast tsuba we have seen. If as heavy as some of the varnishes that I have used in painting, it might even fill (cement) in the signature enough to explain some of the odd look of the signature. The extra photo helped a lot.

Depends on your point of view When the sword is drawn and you are facing it, they are upright and say to me "let's play".

I suspect it is a bit thicker at the seppa dai than his 4.4mm. 4.4mm would be more in keeping with a Norisuke utsushi, though the [note*] Norisuke Yagyu go for a fair premium over your average Norisuke. Also, this just doesn't feel like a Norisuke utsushi to me. Another relatively silent NMB member and I both specialize in Norisuke tsuba.

Wow, that is an incredible story and writeup by Fred W.. I knew he had a lot of top level stuff, but sometimes I have to wonder how large is his Aladdin's Cave ??? He's pulled out many incredible things over the last 25 years that I have been in contact with him.

I wasn't sure either. Distant Pines vs Kukurizaru ???? Mushrooms makes more sense, but that had not occurred to me until @Bugyotsuji Piers spoke up.

That one is not too similar. That is my personal opinion. Okan may have snagged a Yagyu from somewhere. I suspect the patina has been browned up, but it should clean up fairly well.