Soshin

Hi Everyone, Here is the Ko-Tosho tsuba one of a lot of two tsuba I won at a local estate auction last weekend. The auction I won it at is discussed here at the on the NMB: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14946. I had to remove some collection stickers and glue mixed with dirt and rust that were likely on it for the last 30+ years but the tsuba cleaned up nicely. I have also spent some time rubbing it a cotton cloth and using a old bone to clean off the active red rust. Here is the information about this tsuba from the action catalogue. Here is my detail measurements of the tsuba: 8.4 (Width) X 8.7 (Height) cm. The thickness at the rim is approximately 2.5 mm and the thickness at the rim is 3.0 mm. The tsuba display a wonderful hammer surface (tsuchime-ji) with many large granular iron bones (tekkotsu) along the rim and surface of the plate. The overall shape is uncommon for Tosho tsuba being a quatrefoil (mokko-gata). The shape of the rim I would describe as a rounded square in shape (kaku mimi koniku). The patina is characteristic blueish-black color intermix with deep browns often seen on Tosho tsuba. The small openwork (ko-sukashi) is of a genji-mon or scent symbols used in Kodo for different chapters of novel Tale of Genji. Here is more information on Kodo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dd%C5%8D. Looking at the tsuba from the omote side The genji-mon ko-sukashi looks to be for chapter 11 of the Tale of Genji. Looking from the ura side it looks like the symbol for chapter 23. In terms of age I would say likely mid to late Muromachi Period. Please feel free to comment and questions are welcome. I am planning to do a write up about this tsuba for the JSSUS newsletter so any additional information or feedback will be helpful. P.S. That reminds me I need to pay my membership fee for 2013. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Ken W., The group is still meeting every few months during fall, winter, and spring lead by Dale G. I do remember the elderly Japanese gentlemen you are referring to who owned the very nice presentation tsuba. I havn't seen him at a meeting for a while and heard his health prevents him from attending. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Keith G., All in all not a bad impulse buy. I would agree with others that it is a work of Tempo school circa the late Edo Period. Here is a papered example in my collection: http://dastiles1.wix.com/reflections-#!Composite-View-/zoom/c211q/imagewpm. The patina looks light but I think it is the flash of the camera. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Ken W., Thanks for the story I was once told you were a member of that group. I for one would like to see such a literal presentation tsuba. Nice tsuba can be found regardless of label or classification. Currently me and Jack F. are the only members of that group that are heavily into tosogu. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Patrick R., I see your point. I am going listing one more tsuba from my collection I had awhile on eBay and NMB for sale. I will try a get it up on eBay and NMB this evening. I also need some money for a upcoming shinsa as well. I might also bring a tsuba that I would be willing to trade if I find something really nice at the Tampa show. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Henry W., Thanks for the reply. The above measurement are for the Kamakura tsuba the Ko-Tosho is larger. The only condisition issue I had to deal with was the fact that each tsuba had old collection stickers with glue on them. They were likely on there since the donation over 30 years ago to the school. Once I am finished cleaning off the glue I will set up and take some photos. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi George T., Thanks for the reply. Here is the description of the lot from the auction catalogue. The one photo they had on the website was really poor. It was taken under poor lighting with low resolution and soft focus. I am glad I spent the extra time to see the lot in person before deciding to bid. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Junichi-san, It is good that John and Curran has set you straight as it looked from how you worded your question that you didn't know that presentation tsuba often used on swords that were gifts given to or by Daimyo (feudal lords) have been around for a while. I would say from the early Edo Period i.e. 17th century. Many tsuba from different schools have been presentation tsuba at some point. I know one story of a Kaneie tsuba being a presentation "kenjo" tsuba. Here is a tsuba in my collection that I think is a kenjo tsuba: http://dastiles1.wix.com/reflections-#!Composite-and-Art-View/zoom/c211q/image114l. Notice also that my tsuba shows signs of being used and mounted on a sword. I don't think they have any connection to shiremono made during the Meiji Period for export to the west. Shiremono were often not mounted on a sword. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Everyone, Not sure if this is a good place for this type of post so feel free to move it. I won my first non eBay auction lot over the weekend. I placed an absentee bid after work last week when they were having an exhibition. Here is the auction house website: http://www.sloansandkenyon.com/. The auction house is about 10 miles away from where I live and near were I work. When I get a chance to take some photos of the lot items I will post in the other applicable forum discussion. I have been registered with them since 2006 but this is the first time I had bid and won a lot at auction. :D The only problem now is I have limited funds for my upcoming trip to Tampa show. Comments and questions are welcome. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Christophe, I think it is a modern reproduction from looking at just the two photos provided. I can't confirm anything until I see it in hand. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Jason M., I am not completely sure your question but I am sure one of the owners of Rice Crackers is on NMB. Their contact information is on the website as well. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Keith G., I don't know about naginata tsuba but Paul's reply reminded be that a rectangle shaped nakago-ana is characteristic of Yagyu tsuba. Noritsuke and his school made many late generation Yagyu tsuba during the late Edo Period. I once owned a NBTHK hozon level papered example. Just my two cents. Hope you find it helpful. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Mariusz k., I am thinking they might be bamboo leaves if you look at just the outline of the line carving on each oval. Similar to the ones found hear: http://www.Japanese-clip-art.com/kamon-wallpaper-sasa-1.html. This is just a guest on my part. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Ron STL, Here is the translation of the upper right part of the shinsa paper: ichi (一) "one", ume (梅) "plum", take (竹) "bamboo", sukashi (透) "openwork", and tsuba (鍔) "sword hand guard". Hope you find this helpful. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Brent T., This is a very hard question which could be a topic in of itself. I have my own reasons but I am sure there are people that would disagree and say that it is a waist of time and money because they being western intellectuals know better then the Japanese in the identification of Japanese antique cultural artifacts. It would be like a group of Japanese making authentication and attribution of United States Civil War antiques. I generally like to find and submit antique tosogu with good quality workmanship and design in fine condition for shinsa. It allows me to test my kantei ability as I often have an idea who or which group made it. I also sometime have an opinion if a specific mei is correct your tsuba is an example. I also never submit something that I think will fail. The final point which cannot be over looked as I have limited means is that it makes it much easier to resale at or above what I originally paid for it if the tosogu is papered by the NTHK or NBTHK. I like to think of my collection is a ever evolving and growing thing. I am hoping that in 40+ years or so when I pass to the great beyond that my collection will only consist of Juyo or above pieces. In regards to your tanto tsuba I am not really sure. While the hira-zogan inlays of different soft metals are often seen in Umetada school the high relief carving done on the lower side of the tsuba isn't. The Umetada school would often only use low relief carving as well as decorative chisel or hammer marks. To me the tanto tsuba might get the Shoami attribution at shinsa as the Shoami school would work using both of these techniques in iron. Keep in mind that I have read in the NBTHK monthly magazine while discussing the Umetada school that if a specific Umetada tsuba wasn't signed "Umetada" it would likely get a Shoami attribution. This indicating that there is some overlap in the techniques and designs used by both schools. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Brent T., Yes the signature on your fine tsuba is well cut. I would go ahead and submit it to shinsa if I was you. Here is my mumei Umetada tsuba which is currently unpapered. It is iron and would likely get the Ko-Umetada label if sent to shinsa. The fine crosshatch gold inlay (nunome kin-zogon) is very well done and well intact. The surface between the inlays have a triangular shaped chisel marks of a decorative nature. The rim has a major turn up to make the rim at 6.0 mm much thicker then the seppa-dai which I think could be as thin as 2.5 mm. This causes a deep impression of the rim in the padded box I have this tsuba in. This shape I think as allowed the high quality gold inlays to be protected over the ages. This turned up style rim is often seen on Umetada Myoju and as well as Ko-Umetada tsuba from the Momoyama Period to the early Edo Period. Comments are welcome. P.S. It should be noted that I purchased this tsuba also from Grey D. last year off of this website. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Brent, Thanks for posting your fine example. Is your example papered by the NTHK or NBTHK? I am thinking based upon the style of rim your tsuba was likely made by the Umetada master one generation after Myoju. His Buddhist name was Myoshin and his artist name was also Shigeyoshi. I think the younger brother of Myoju. Once I get home I will post my fine example of the Umetada school. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Everyone, I agree with Mauro I don't see anything about ume or bamboo. Generally NBTHK hozon papers don't have it in that part of paper. It is more to the upper right section of the paper. Please Ron post a more complete photo or scan of the paper. By the way I really like the tsuba. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Sam E., The lower design in the water is a diving water bird with its head lowered into the water. If you have watched ducks or other water birds do this they stick their buts up in the air and dive their head under water. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Everyone, I don't like to discuss things for sale on the NMB but I must comment. Grey's Umetada tsuba is an example of a first class Umetada tsuba. If I was the new owner I would be submitting it to NBTHK tokubetsu hozon as soon as possible. I wish more really nice tsuba would come up for discussion in the Tosogu forum. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Chris B., Thanks for the post and photo. I remember being told this but I have never seen or owned an example. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Everyone, I normally don't post but wanted to state I use uichio and choji oil. I have a friend that uses isopropyl alcohol. I am a bit concerned because isopropyl alcohol I see for sale at the drug store ranges between 50% to 95% solution mix with water. I work in a lab and have access to 100% isopropyl alcohol but I can't use it and I don't think my friend has any. This is just my two cents on the topic and I agree with Mr. S. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Chris B. and Franco, Thanks for the replies and the additional helpful information. I will be talking to my broker today to make sure he submit my tsuba only to the Hozon shinsa level. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Jean, Really nice tsuba. I very much like it and would consider it an exceptional example of the Mito school craftsmanship in excellent condition. :D What are the measurements of the tanto tsuba? I can imagine looking at this tsuba in hand is even better when considering the small size of the plate. I would go ahead and submit it to NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon shinsa but I think Curran is likely a better judge of such things then me. Yours truly, David Stiles

Hi Jean, Yes please post a good photo of your tsuba. I always want to see nice examples even if you don't submit it to NBTHK tokubetsu hozon shinsa. I only have one tsuba in my collection currently that I would consider for a tokubetsu hozon NBTHK shinsa submission. My decision is based in part upon other peoples feedback about it. My own research was favorable comparing it to papered examples the NBTHK had in their monthly magazine when they covered Namban tsuba recently. It was discussed here on the NMB: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13927. Curran wants to take a look at this Namban tsuba in hand so I will be bring it to the upcoming Tampa Show next month. Yours truly, David Stiles