Help needed on tsuba, new collector to the game

[Hollywood]

Good afternoon all, and happy holidays. My name is Dan and I am a newcomer to this board, but well experienced in collecting historical properties. I have been a student of the martial arts for 29 years and recently decided to collect Samurai artifacts.

 

Below I posted a photo of a tsuba that i purchased. I was told it was 19 century Edo period. I have no doubt it's original, but I am confused on some particulars. After a diligent search on this site I was unable to find the info I was needing.

 

I am hoping that members here could help me verify if this early or late Edo, and what is the motif. To me it looks like cane stock and either maybe a panda bear or mole. Any other thoughts are welcome on its artist, time placement etc.

 

Thanks to everyone in advance and I look forward to years of collecting!

 

[Soshin]

Hi Dan,

 

A major rule here on the Nihonto Message Board from my personal experience is to sign at the end all your posts with at lest a first name and first letter of your last name. In regards to your tsuba I would say your tsuba likely dates from the late Edo Period to early Meiji Period. The design style and craftsmanship reminds be of Mito school. Here are some examples provided by Google Images: http://www.google.com/search?q=Mito+school+tsuba&hl=en&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=scXZUOjrIZC00AH8q4HICQ&ved=0CEQQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=681. Hope you find this information helpful to your own research.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Hollywood]

David,

 

Thank you for the reply, and the advise. Based on your link, I too see the similarities. Out of curiosity........what do you make of the design itself? Meaning the animal?

 

Thanks.

Daniel Calderaro

[Brian]

The animal will almost certainly be a rat..quite common on Japanese art.

As for the symbolism or item depicted, someone will be along shortly to enlighten us all I am sure.

 

Brian

[Hollywood]

Brian,

 

Thanks for the info. It does look like a rat. Very interesting......besides what the rat represents in the zodiac, it was also a very popular pet during the late Edo period (mouse, especially white mice). I am really looking forward to other responses.

 

Thanks

Daniel Calderaro

[Drago]

Hi,

 

nice tsuba, I like it.

 

I'm not that well versed in Japanese symbolism, but check out the zodiac text in the "articles" section. The rat is one of the major signs. That might help.

[Hollywood]

Thanks Drago! Funny I just posted my thoughts on the zodiac as you were posting.

 

Daniel Calderaro

[Lance]

Although there's no handle on it, looks like a broom and the animal is a rat, a symbol of good fortune/luck in an odd way. During times of famine or a bad harvest no rats, when food is plentiful the rats are too, so seeing them would be a good omen. So much food in the storehouse you have to sweep the rats out with a broom!

Daikokuten, the god of wealth and good luck is often depicted with rats as well.

 

Below is a (poor quality image, I couldn't find a higher resolution example) of a fuchi kashira, compare the broom on the kashira to your tsuba, hope this is useful.

 

 

 

Regards,

Lance

[Hollywood]

Although there's no handle on it, looks like a broom and the animal is a rat, a symbol of good fortune/luck in an odd way. During times of famine or a bad harvest no rats, when food is plentiful the rats are too, so seeing them would be a good omen. So much food in the storehouse you have to sweep the rats out with a broom!

Daikokuten, the god of wealth and good luck is often depicted with rats as well.

 

Below is a (poor quality image, I couldn't find a higher resolution example) of a fuchi kashira, compare the broom on the kashira to your tsuba, hope this is useful.

 

http://images.cloud.worthpoint.com/wpim ... 500ab3.jpg

 

 

Regards,

Lance

 

Lance, very interesting insight. I am inclined to believe your theory regarding the broom may be correct. The base before the "brushes" does indeed look the same.

 

Interesting............

 

Do any other members have tubas with similar depictions or do you believe that this was a one off type order?

[Toryu2020]

i am more inclined to see this a mizuhiki,

originally dried fish given as a gift on auspicious occasions. today it is represented by red/white folded paper on gift boxes - indeed the inclusion of the rat is also auspicious...

-t

[kunitaro]

Yes Thomas san,

It is actually sliced stretched and dried Abalone which is one of Celebration Ornament.

It is called 熨斗鮑 Noshi or Noshi-awabi.

鮑/Awabi/Abalone is the symbol of long life.

 

Rat/Mouse is the symbol of wealth and peace.

If your storage is full of rice or food, there is a lot of mouse.

 

Noshi and Mouse = Long life and wealth = Good luck.

 

Nowadays, we are using printing papers and envelopes, Noshi-gami, Noshi-bukuro

[Pete Klein]

AWESOME! Thanks so much Kunitaro-san!!!

[Hollywood]

Wow that is very interesting and awesome! Thanks so much for the info!

 

Daniel Calderaro

[Brian]

Thank you Kunitaro san and Tom! Great info..learned something new again.

 

Brian

[Hollywood]

I appreciate all the help. I do have a follow-up question:

 

How is one to know if the tsuba belongs to a Katana, or wakizashi?

 

It seems that tsuba ranged in size. Both the katana, and wakizashi appear to resemble each other in design, size, and Kogai/ Kozuka holes. I read online (not sure how accurate) it was stated that tsuba with only the Kozuka hole, tended to belong to the wakizashi. True?

 

The measurments for my tsuba are as follows:

0.2cm thickness

7.9cm width

7.9cm length

 

I have searched this site, a couple books, and on line. I just can't seem to determine which mine would be. Any additional assistance would be greatly appreciated!

 

Daniel Calderaro

[Lance]

I'd say your tsuba is for a katana: in general tsuba 3 inches (7.62 centimetres) and over are considered katana size. There's no hard and fast rules though with many exceptions, especially for different eras. Koto uch-gatana were supposedly mounted with smaller tsuba, and some shin-shinto swords were mounted with really large guards to go with the big swords made during these times.

 

I don't think the holes matter that much, they went on to be incorporated into tsuba wether they'd be needed or not. Most katana saya didn't include a kogai or kozuka pocket, again there are exceptions like Higo koshirae or something special made for a wealthy Samurai.

 

 

Regards,

Lance

[Hollywood]

Lance,

 

Thank you for the reply. I appreciate the info!

 

Daniel Calderaro

[Hollywood]

Hello again fellow members,

 

I just purchased this Edo period wakisashi tsuba. Great piece, and I love the geometric infinity design (pretty sure that's correct).

 

Question: any ideas on what school this would be attributed too?

 

Thanks everyone for the assistance. Anyone here have similar tsuba please share your thoughts.

 

 

[Brian]

How about an almost 20 page thread on that pattern? (Sayagata)

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=489&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

 

Brian

[Hollywood]

Umm.......yeah that will work Brian.....thanks!

 

Daniel Calderaro