I have no idea, but as someone who changes out Tsuba on Iaito fairly frequently, you could potentially have multiple middle plates with many different designs which you could change out whenever the occasion suited, but still keeping same shape.... snow theme in December, rabbit at in spring, etc
Thank you for your reply John,
my translations are something I have been practicing (where I know I can attain answers without pestering NMB).
So no reason/significance, just a different choice in Mei style...
Hello all,
I have this Nara Tsuba with a golden patched Mei and although I have seen this style of gold patched Mei before, I am unable to find out if there is any significance or reasoning to it. Is this possibly a later addition and not an original signature?
Although I have not been able to find an answer to this, I'm pretty sure the Mei reads Nao masa.
Please forgive any offence to Tsuba quality or photo quality.
Thank you for any help you may be able to give.
It looks a lot like a potash style patina, that can flake off and give different degrees of blackening. As a beginner into Tsuba, Id guess not original?
Hi Jean, I'm sorry I cannot help with school or maker, but I'd like to confirm it is not ugly. I'm quite drawn to it that little bit more because it is Iron also
Good question Krystian,
I wonder if any Tsuba which is inlaid with silver should have a dark patina. It seems strange that a metal such as silver would not be kept 'shiny'.