Tsuba maintenance and display

[benatthelake]

I apologize if this topic has been covered in the past. I have found different opinions on the storage and maintenance of tsuba. See attached for mine which I plan to display with koshirae and tsunagi. For a tsuba like mine, which has a nice patina and no active rust, should I still apply a light coat of choij oil? I've read that it can actually hurt the preserving patina. What about the rest of metal fittings? Display will be in my basement with about 50-60% RH....which i have read is good for the wood, lacquer, elements of koshirae. Thoughts on my tsuba are welcomed too.

Thanks!

Ben M

[John A Stuart]

No oil as per Torigoiye san. Ibota? Not me although some use it. Just keep clean and dry is my advice. John

[Grey Doffin]

Ditto what John said.

Grey

[Antti]

Lately I've been trying to learn to attribute tsuba, so can I have a shot at it?

 

Now if I would say this tsuba could be Higo, perhaps Higo Jingo, or at least has Higo Jingo influence, would I be completely wrong?

[benatthelake]

John and Grey: Thanks so WD-40 and scrubbed with a soft brillo bad. Just kidding...clean and dry it is. Thanks for the advice.

 

Antti: A wiser man than me on this board was kind enough to provide this assessment..."Probably 'Kumagai' meaning "Edo Higo" or made in Edo with Higo sensibilities in terms of the dragon and the Juckushi school sort of gold and silverwork. Yet around the kozuka/kogai ana it has little wave rests which are much more Tanaka school or similar late Edo period very en Vogue work. I really like the tsuba, as looking like a nicer than average Kumagai (my spelling may be off)/ Edo Higo" Probably 1800ish.

 

For me, I have more research to do as I know little to nothing about tsuba characteristics, history, smiths, etc. Attached is perhaps a better picture which also includes a bit of the Koshirae. I like the Watanabe Clan Mon as it provides some interesting prominence for further study.

 

Thanks for your thoughts.

Ben

[raiden]

I just happened to look at your koshirae pics, and not sure as they are under the wrap - the menuki are very similiar to the 2 sets we had at the SF show that are attributed to Kanshiro (Nidai), other examples can be found in the Higo Kinko Taikan in the koshirae section. Here is a set that is papered to Kanshiro by the NBTHK for reference. Nice mount!