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I've had this tsuba a number of years, it came off a tanto but didn't look right on the blade, too small. Looking at it in more detail now I was trying to determine the school and Kamakura-bori came to mind but I would appreciate members help and opinions please? I think the hitsu-ana may have been added at a later date. It seems to have what could be a layer of lacquer? on the surface. Details: Mokko-gata Uchikaeshi mimi H: 57mm W: 47mm Mimi: 3.65mm Seppa dai: 3.35mm Nakago-ana: 27mm x 7.5mm Many thanks.

Hi Grev, The museum has very good images of the tsuba in its collection, link below: https://www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/collections/search/page/1/?s=tsuba&qa[keyword_reference_type]=0&qa[partner]&qa[identifier]&qa[date_from]&qa[date_to]&qa[title]&qa[person]&qa[place]&qa[subject]&qa[format]&cbav=2&cbadvsearchquery#038;qa[keyword_reference_type]=0&qa[partner]&qa[identifier]&qa[date_from]&qa[date_to]&qa[title]&qa[person]&qa[place]&qa[subject]&qa[format]&cbav=2&cbadvsearchquery Colin

Hi Dale, Unfortunately it's not mine, just an image from the net. Looks to have been a popular design. Thanks

David/Mauro, Thanks for the replies. I did think possibly Kyo rather than Ko but it seemed on the small side. Mauro, Absolutely see the Echizen link, one below from a scan of Google. Another with similar tagane. Further investigation required! Gullane, UK - From your device - Learn more HelpSend feedbackPrivacyTerms

Hi, I've had this tsuba for a wee while now and was looking at it again recently to carry out some further research. My thoughts on it have come to think it may be Ko-Shoami. It has a couple of tekkotsu on the mimi, image below and dishes a little from the mimi to the seppa-dai. It's maru-gata with a kaku ko-niku mimi. Design is of bamboo in nikubori-ji-sukashi, quite rustic. Overall dimensions below: Height - 66mm Width - 66mm Mimi thk - 5mm Seppa-dai thk - 4.75mm Any thoughts from members would be welcome.

Hi David, Thanks for the comment, I agree having examined the tsuba further on the back of the previous comments by members I would say late Owari. I do like and appreciate this style of sukashi tsuba. Best regards

All, Thanks for the replies and insight. Agree the Tagane are similar to Marks tsuba, the seppa dai on my one is a little wider. I believe the geese in four directions is called 'shihou' but may relate to other objects.

Dale, Curran, Thank you for your responses. It is a tough one between Owari or Akasaka. The rounded mimi I would have said Akasaka but the article you posted Dale was very informative. I'll happily say Owari. Thanks again

Hi, Does anyone have any comments?

Hi, A recent addition, I'm unsure if Owari or Akasaka but I'm drawn to Owari. It has nakabiku from the mimi to the seppa dai. The sukashi elements look more Owari. I understand the karigane and geese in flight but not sure what the other four sukashi elements are? Dimensions: Height: 65mm Width: 63.5mm Mimi thk: 5.4mm Seppa dai thk: 4.85mm Welcome any thoughts please.

Hi Dale, Received my copy last week from Amazon. Very pleased with it. I've used the museum website in the past for reference but it's nice to have a book in hand. Hope the sale of it goes well.

Sorry Brian, the images seemed to show when I originally posted?? I've now uploaded below.

Hi Peter, A good topic, I have this one that I wondered if Mito school but Mauro's attribution to Aizu-shoami could fit as well. The branches wrap round the mimi from one side to the other.

Dale, Thanks for sharing the images, always useful to see reference to the design. I wonder if there is some story behind the design of the ox and barn or it's just a nice simple rustic picture? Curran, Thank you for your comment. I have to admit I've just been trawling the internet for similar tsuba designs. Haynes catalogue No.9 has a tsuba by Kaneshige, lot 265, (image below) with a similar style of design and size with the sukashi and stream. Classed as Nara school. I do like the tsuba you have shown a very classic design and very well executed.

Hi, Just working my way through researching some recent additions. This one I'm thinking ko-nara? The ox is a little worn as it comes out of the thatched barn, there are shigure-yasurime (slanting drizzle) and sukashi elements. Beside the stream there appears to the remains of some gold. The shape of the hitsu-ana seems to be the wrong way round, would there be a reason for this? Many thanks Dimensions: Height - 73mm Width - 72mm Mimi thk - 5.8mm Seppa dai thk - 5.8mm There is a similar tsuba shown in a previous post to the board, although not attributed to ko-nara. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/34424-happy-new-year-ox-tsuba/ The one in this post has a similar feel with the sukashi elements and the window.

Thanks for responding and sharing the images Mauro. I did struggle a little in trying to determine which school but thought Yoshiro fitted better.

Hi, A recent addition which I think is a Kaga Yoshiro yatsu mokko gata tsuba rather than Heianjo. My reasoning the flush inlay (hira zogan) and the additional carving around the outside of some of the inlay. I'm not sure the kozuka ana is original as it cuts through the inlay on the seppa dai. Dimensions: Height 77mm, Width 73mm, Mimi thk. 4.8mm, Seppa dai thk. 4.15mm. A few bits of inlay missing. Early Edo period?

Thanks Stephen, look forward to the book coming out. Ray, amazing almost identical design!

Mauro, I meant to thank you for the translation. I found this one in the Cleveland Museum of Art, some very good images of tsuba on this site. https://www.clevelandart.org/art/collection/search?search=tsuba&op=search&form_build_id=form-xLDZt0Wx_PHvK80Wir3zuEXSrX7vN0NmkxncIfFFgBM&form_id=clevelandart_collection_search_form

All, Thank you for your replies, Saotome with Heianjo zogan it is. Mauro, The image you posted has to be by the same maker or made at a similar time. Do you have any further information on this tsuba, I unfortunately can't read the Japanese writing on the right of the image? Colin

Hi, A recent addition, and what I think combines Saotome/Tembo and Heianjo schools? Height 93mm Width 87mm Mimi thk 3.5mm - 4.5mm The design is of ten zogan dots and linear brass zogan, vine leaves, tendrils and grapes. The bottom right on the front face looks like some crops bound together? The plate looks Saotome /Tembo with a rough hammered surface and a few hot stamps, I can't identify which one? The inlay work looks Heianjo. I'd appreciate any thoughts on this one please. A few images below, one taken in sun light. Thanks Colin

Thanks Mauro. Barry, That's nice, interesting pattern of holes. I'm loathed to call them udenuki-ana as there seems a lot of them.

Thanks Mark. Jean, I meant to say thanks for sharing your two tsuba, both very nice.

Thanks Jean, I like its shape with the namako sukashi. I'll give it a good home and look after it!!

Hi, A recent addition, a small, rather tiered, namako sukashi tsuba with shinchu zogan inlay. Raimon and Karakusa zogan patterns if I'm not mistaken. I think Heianjo but would welcome any views from more experienced on members on period? Details and images below: Height: 61mm Width: 58mm Mimi thk: 4.35mm Seppa dai thk: 3.9mm Nakago-ana: 27mm x 9mm Many thanks Colin