Sukashi Tsuba

[CurtisR]

This is the second that I am researching.....

 

Curtis

[Soshin]

Hi Curtis R.,

 

This tsuba you are researching is likely a later copy (circa Late Edo Period) of my tsuba discussed on this tread here:

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13617.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[CurtisR]

Thank you David - it's dead-on a repro. of that tsuba (as for the original...WOW!). I'm guessing it's later Edo but that's just based on composition and the lack of 'deep' detail, etc. - I don't think it's meiji or gendai, but could be wrong about that.....

 

Curtis

[Soshin]

Hi Curtis R.,

 

I did notice something interesting looking at your tsuba. I noticed that the tsuba you posted lacks any yose-tagane around the nakago-ana on the omote side like my tsuba has. The chisel marks with a characteristic shape on my tsuba could have been used as a way for the artist to sign this work without using a formal signature. This would be important specifically for a Kenjo tsuba use by Daimyo or his direct retainers and associates where a formal signature would not be allowed.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[CurtisR]

Once I looked closer at the chisel marks on both David, I can see a very similar pattern...I've heard of Tsubashi using specific ways of chiseling to fit the blade, essentially 'signing' it. And I also found it strange about the lack of yose-tagane in the Nagako ana.

If I understand you correctly, Daimyo did not allow their Tsuba to be signed? Perhaps it was due to them (& their retainer/associates) to only allow the influence of the Daimyo upon the sword's fittings?

 

"Curtious-er and Curious-er" :D

 

Curtis

[Soshin]

Hi Curtis R.,

 

The lack of a signature on a very ornate and fine works was the practice for gift (kenjo) tsuba. Stylistic and technical techniques of my tsuba indicates it is a work Awa Shoami (Hirata family) school who worked only for the Daimyo family of Awa Province during the Edo Period. Check my website (link below) for a full write up about my tsuba as well as the linked discussion above.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[CurtisR]

Ahhhhh - I understand now Mr. Stiles and thank you for the great information & link to the discussion. I am thinking of offering the owner $300 U.S. for it, and based on it's traceable history (in the pattern) I think this might be a good offer. He diesn't know much about it and is a friend, so want to be fair to us both. Regardless, I am learning a LOT about this one from yours!

 

Many thanks for your time, and please feel free if any other thoughts come to mind. The write up is fascinating and well done - kudos!

 

Curtis