Michael 101

I would think this tsuba is far more likely to be Bushu school work. I have owned a couple of very similar examples signed by workers of this school. May be Choshu as very similar in late edo period but sticking to Bushu. Kinai I cannot see in this peice. Kind regards Michael

I agree with the last comments over the authenticity of this signature. I have a fuchikashi named to him - its fantastic work one of the nicest I own, which importantly is the reason I bought it. When we buy big names unless we're super rich and the item is papered my philosphy its best to think that its probably not by who its named too - but if the quality is high then you always have that little comforting thought that it just might well be so. Looks a nice set, but seems lacking the masters touch (although its never clear from just pictures) but a nice find whatever and certainly not trash. Regards Michael

Hi John, I have also seen Goto dragon tails ending this way rather than the sceptre etc and have attached by example one attested to Eijo (6th mainline). Not too clear in the picture (sorry) but the last section of the tail is straight and without scales, otherwise similar to yours - so it might not be damaged. Regards Michael

Hi Nick, Its signed Yaji Tomokiyo. I think this is the maker refered to by Haynes ref 09931. Good maker listed as head of the family school in 1722 an active 1700-1750 in Nagato province. Becam a priest in later life. Strangly enough I also have a tsuba by him but solid plate not sukashi. Sorry for my quick jump Kinai call !!! and thanks to John for making me look again. Regards Michael

Hi Nick, This is a good Kinai school tsuba from the province of Echizen. The Kinai school worked circa 1650-1875 and carry the same signature and its difficult to tell the exact age or generation. However your tsuba looks nicely carved and signed like the majority of school work. (there are quite a few crude copies nothing like yours) Slightly unusual in that it has no hitsu anna - but they did go out of fashion in the 19th cent - so might be a further clue to its age. I would guess that its original school work dating from the late 18th / early 19th century perhaps 4th / 5th master. There is quite good information on the web on the Kinai school taken from a Japanese book on the subject - which I would suggest looking up (even shows different style of signatures etc). Update - well must admit being suprised when read the signature - its Kinei style not school as pointed out by the far sharper next review - teach me not to look closely !! Kind regards Michael

Rick, another great thing with Haynes is that it also comes with a diskette version which is great for word searching artists which can be very useful especially when an artist used more than one name during his lifetime. Best money I have ever spent on research material. For pictures / general school info I would recommend the Baur collection. Regards Michael

Please find attached close up of the tsuba mei as requested and a couple of closer detail pictures to help members judge. I strugled with the second kanji and settled on Nori as being the most likely - but open to oppinion. Personally I really like the tsuba what ever its age - although if it is modern, I would love to know who made it so I could commision another for a diasho. Kind regards to all Michael

I have added a picture of the reverse side and will add a further picture of the mei later. Unfortunately the pictures loaded do seem to have distorted the tsuba / horse by stretching it out more than it actually is. Its diamentions are 7.8cm x 7.2cm. I have shown it "in the flesh" rather than pictures to a couple of experienced UK collector friends and would be very suprised if it were modern. Certainly the iron feel is 18th / 19th cent. I would have thought an edo faker would have 1) added a famous name 2) not made such a blend of style (soten/nara) which would have certainly been better for the forgery business. Thanks to all for your interesting and challanging comments - I am enjoying them all. Regards Michael

I know its sometimes difficult to tell from photograghs but I assure you that its hand carved iron from the Edo period. The inlaid figure is in keeping with the background and to the subject matter so I do not think its a later addition. Useful help sought please. Regards Michael

To interested message board members I have listed 3 tsuba from my collection on ebay available via the attached link. Sale includes a Hozon Papered Shoami, named soft metal Nara school and a named Bushu work. Being sold to fund new toys ! http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZmc114

I have read with interest the various requests and feedback and have finally got around to getting in on the action. Sorry to make my first posting a request but this one's been troubling me for a while. Pretty certain that I have the mei as Omi Ju Shigenori but havent managed to find any information on the maker. There is a Shigenori in Haynes but the date seems far to early for my tsuba. I have attached a picture which shows what appears to be a blend of Soten (ref Omi Ju ?) and what even resembles Nara (inlaid figure). Searched all my books / catelogues / Web etc but to no avail - is their a forum friend with the answer ? Regards to all