Nice tsuba but look new

[Christophe]

I'm interesting to buy this tsuba but it's look like like new, can someone help me to determine its age ?

[Michael 101]

I agree - it looks to me as if its trying to be a 2nd Master Hayashi (Shigemitsu) but the lack of rust in the sukashi concerns me and it also looks like it has been artificially aged by scatching.

 

A Shigemitsu would tend to be large (circe 8cm high thick 0.55mm ) and made of very dense iron and be about 130g so judging the iron quality may help you.

 

Kind regards

Michael

[Christophe]

I was surprise by the weigh, 90grs,size 7.5cm and thickness 4mm, so that why I ask advice.

Thanks very much

[Ford Hallam]

Gentlemen, don't let the weight of an individual tsuba lead you astray. There is no way this measurement means anything of relevance in terms of judging a tsuba. It won't tell you anything about metal quality, density (a ridiculous bit of nonsense that is routinely trotted out ) nor composition. It weighs what it must for its volume that's all.

 

As for this tsuba it looks to me to be a perfectly honest modern utsushi of the original design by Matashichi Hayashi I. The patina is a bit weak but it's a reasonably tidy bit of work. Interestingly enough the original has a much finer finish and is in remarkably good condition.

 

 

regards,

 

Ford

[Brian Ayres]

I like both Tsuba. Thanks for sharing the original Ford!

[Ford Hallam]

you're welcome, Brian glad to help.