Thoughts on this tsuba please

[Mark C]

Hi all,

 

Can I please have any thoughts on this tsuba that I picked up today.

 

72mm Round.

Thickness=4mm

 

I think the subject is maybe reeds/grasses, unsure what the brass dots are that seem to be in pairs.

 

The patina is a lot darker in real life as this was taken on an unusually sunny day here in the UK.

 

On the last picture, are these marks made when the tsuba was made?

 

Many thanks for your help

 

Mark

[Nobody]

Hi Mark,

 

I think that the motif is Susuki (薄: Japanese pampas grass) and Hotal (蛍: firefly).

[Mark C]

Hi Koichi,

 

Thanks for that, it now makes sense.

 

Any ideas on the age?

I was thinking Edo but have no idea if it would be early, mid or late.

 

Regards

 

Mark