New Kinko Tsuba...

[Soshin]

Hi Everyone,

 

This is a new tsuba added to my collection this week. I am currently researching it. It is a soft metal kinko tsuba made of what I think is yamagane (unrefined copper) which has been textured and covered in a layer of black lacquer. The lacquer is in good condition and covers the sukashi design well but has thinned a little bit along the seppa-dai mostly on the omote side. This was likely happen when it was mounted and remounted on more than one sword. The rim is very dark, wet, smooth, and reflective. It is beautiful to view in hand. The measurements of the tsuba are 6.8 cm wide by 6.8 cm high. The thickness at the rim is 4.0 mm and thinner at the seppa-dai at around 3.0 mm.

It is mumei and I have no idea who made it or how old it is. If the tsuba is yamagane along with the lacquer and the half moon shape of the kogai hitsu-ana it might be Ko-Kinko work but I am unsure. If it is yamagane and from the Edo Period it might be made by the Hirata Higo or Shoami schools. Thanks for looking and any educated opinions on what group or school made this tsuba or it's age would be welcome.

[John A Stuart]

Not your usual tsuba for sure. Did the seller have no opinions about it at all? John

[Soshin]

Hi John S.,

 

Yes I agree most of my collection is of the old iron type. I enjoy the texture of the thin plate done with black lacquer and the thick glossy smooth rim is a nice contrast. A previous owner (well respected US collector) had some very specific ideas about who made it... I don't agree with them but I really like the tsuba regardless which is in the end what really matters in collecting art.

[docliss]

Ex Holbrook and Grey Doffin I believe?

 

http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/holbrook-tsuba/h167-higo-hirata-hikozo

 

John L.

[Soshin]

Hi John L.,

 

You are correct it is ex. Skip Holbrook collection via Grey. The more I look at it the more I think the tsuba is a good example Ko-Kinko work circa mid to late Muromachi Period that shows some significant features that were later masterfully incorporated and expanded upon by Hikozo the 1st generation master of the Hirata School in Higo Province during the early Edo Period.

The rim which has a very nice smooth glossy finish to it appears to be cast as part of the tsuba itself and is clearly defined by the change in finish and texture. The body (ji) of the tsuba itself has more of a fine stone texture (ishime-ji) topped with a layer of black lacquer. The overall shape of the tsuba that is incorporated into the openwork design is also very well executed in my opinion. Some of the above observations were made by Dale G. (NMB member) at the local Japanese sword club meeting this afternoon. Would love to see other peoples examples of Ko-Kinko with comments that might have affected the development of Hirata Hikozo masterful work. :D

[John A Stuart]

Although a Higo influence I can't reach to Hikozo, but, perhaps a tsubako in the style of. To me it could be by any irogane tsubako of the area. John

[Soshin]

Although a Higo influence I can't reach to Hikozo, but, perhaps a tsubako in the style of. To me it could be by any irogane tsubako of the area. John

 

Hi John S.,

 

Outside of Hirata school which did some early work in yamagane I only know the Nishigaki school would work in other soft metals during the Edo Period. The Hayashi would work in soft metals only rarely. I Google searched "irogane" and Mariusz K.'s PDF showed up. In the PDF the word "irogane" is used once in the title and isn't defined. :? Could you or possibly Mariusz K. give me an basic English definition for this term? Is yamagane different than irogane? You need to be be really basic as I mostly collect old iron. Thank you for the understanding.

[John A Stuart]

色金 Check http://shura.shu.ac.uk/971/ John

[Soshin]

Hi John S.,

 

Thanks for the paper refernce. I read the abstract and historical background sections and found it helpful. The Japanese term irogane basically means soft metal alloy which would include yamagane as well a other soft metal alloys.

[Marius]

Very nice, simple yamagane tsuba with loads of lacquer. Well done David

 

Are you joining us weirdos who actually appreciate this kind of tsuba?

[Soshin]

Hi Mariusz K.,

 

I wanted to get a tsuba to help fill out my Muromachi Period Tsuba webpage: http://dastiles1.wix.com/reflections-#!Muromachi%20Period%20Tsuba/ck77. One thing I have noticed is how much the nakago-ana has been altered on my Ko-Kinko tsuba. It looks like the nakago-ana was once longer and wider but was then hammered down and made a bit smaller to fit a smaller nakago. I am thinking it was likely done in the Edo Period so that the tsuba could fit a wakizashi. In the Muromachi Period it would have been mounted on a uchigatana with a larger nakago. Just some additional ideas I was thinking about today.

[christianmalterre]

David,

 

you made indeed an interesting choice here!

It´s untypic(maybe the wrong wording-better maybe to say interesting here?) in several points(note the strong walls of Hitsu-ana just for example(do compare such on the Kanayama Tsuba for example!)-the outcome of an Seppa-dai unconfirm in thickness to it´s mimi,just for mentioning few points...(ofthen to ben seen on early Owari Sukashi Guards)

(it´s design-doesn´t it strongly remember to earlier ones?)

the remain of nice lacquer,it´s colour ect ect...

many points to start an personal discussion with Mariusz here i think...

you very certainly made an good and interesting choice for yoursself here...

Looks quite good to me Good decision in securing it!

 

Christian

[Soshin]

Hi Christian M.,

 

I agree this tsuba is a interesting and a very appealing example of Ko-Kinko work. Comparing the seppa-dai shape and size it is similar to early Kanayama tsuba from the Muromachi Period. The tsuba has a very robust and functional feel to it for a soft metal alloy guard.

 

Hi John S.,

 

I was reading the article you link to. I find it intresting that along with arsenic there is also gold as a heavy metal impurity in yamagane.

[Soshin]

Very nice, simple yamagane tsuba with loads of lacquer. Well done David

 

Are you joining us weirdos who actually appreciate this kind of tsuba?

 

 

Hi Mariusz K.,

 

What type of Japanese sword or koshirae style would this Ko-Kinko tsuba be mounted on during the Muromachi Period? For example would it have been used on a early uchigatana or possibly a ko-daichi? Having a photo of a intact koshirae from the Muromachi Period using this type of tsuba would be interesting.

[Alex A]

Reminds me of this tsuba that Mariusz showed me a while ago.

 

http://yakiba.com/Tsuba_Kiku.htm

 

Alex.

[Soshin]

Hi Alex A.,

 

Thanks for the reply. It fun reading about the similar tsuba that you linked to. The only difference is the condition of black lacquer of the surface. For now I am thinking my tsuba is yamagane but upon real material testing it might be bronze as well.

[Alex A]

Depending on age, a black lacquered ko kinko tsuba could have been part of a Tensho kashirae

[Soshin]

Hi Alex A.,

 

I noticed that my tsuba has been mounted and adjusted and mounted again many times. At one time during its life it could have been mounted on a Tensho style koshirae at some point as its small size and dark color with black lacquer is consistent with the Tensho style of koshirae. Here is a link to a topic started by Henry W. about Tensho style koshirae awhile ago: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7387&st=0&sk=t&sd=a. My impression was that the Tensho style koshirae dates from the Tensho Era of the Azuchi-Momoyama Period circa 1573-1592 but it could be older and dates from the Muromachi Period.

[Alex A]

Hi David, out of curiosity, what size is the nakago-ana?, it would also be interesting to know what the largest size may have been, before it was altered ?, difficult to say maybe. From what ive heard, there was a fashion for very small tsuba on katana towards the end of the Muromachi period.

 

Alex.

[Marius]

What type of Japanese sword or koshirae style would this Ko-Kinko tsuba be mounted on during the Muromachi Period? For example would it have been used on a early uchigatana or possibly a ko-daichi? Having a photo of a intact koshirae from the Muromachi Period using this type of tsuba would be interesting.

 

David,

 

the best pictures of Muromachi (and earlier) koshirae are in the 1975 (?) Tokyo National Museum book : "Uchigatana no Koshirae". A great, big book (there is a smaller version, too) with many examples of these mountings and their tsuba.

 

Your tsuba would have been mounted on an uchigatana - it is a mid/late Muromachi guard, judging by the hitsu ana and the size of the seppa-dai. Ko-dachi? Doubtful, as these mountings would not have a kozuka.

[Dr Fox]

Nice comparison Alex.

[Soshin]

Hi David, out of curiosity, what size is the nakago-ana?, it would also be interesting to know what the largest size may have been, before it was altered ?, difficult to say maybe.

 

Hi Alex A.,

 

I will measure it and post when I get home. It will be a estimate as it has been heavily altered to fit a blade with a thinner nakago. This could have been done in the Edo Period. I remember seeing a wakizashi on eBay with a altered Ko-Kinko tsuba mounted on what the Japanese dealer states as a Edo Period koshirae. I will post a link if possible.

 

Mariusz K.,

 

I will get that book as soon as possible. It is up for sale on Grey's website.

[Alex A]

Hi David, according to Freds page below, Uchigatana koshirae-muromachi period and Tensho koshirae, same thing.

 

http://www.nihonto.com/abtartuchigatanakoshirae.html

 

The only good example i seem to be able to find of an Uchigatana koshirae. Iron tsuba of coarse but with a copper alloy fuchi, ive never been able to find an example with a soft metal tsuba!, although read enough accounts of soft metal fittings.

 

http://www.yamabushiantiques.com/KOSHIRAE15.htm

 

Alex.

[Soshin]

Hi Alex A.,

 

To answer your question. I think the nakago-ana was approximately 1.2 cm wide by 3.0 mm high at some point and was made narrower and shorter by hammering inwards towards the opening. This is essentially the opposite of what you would see on a nakago-ana that has been enlarged to fit a thicker nakagao.

 

Sorry I don't see the wakizashi I was talking about on eBay it must have sold.

[Alex A]

So, possibly sat on a late muromachi clunker at one point in time . a great little ko kinko tsuba.

 

Alex.

[Soshin]

Hi Everyone,

 

I found the following two free articles on the internet about different Koshirae styles. Both I found helpful in research what type of set my Ko-Kinko tsuba might have been mounted with. Enjoy.

 

Koshirae “Gullivers’ glossary of the glorious koshirae in no particular order” by by Thomas C. Helm

http://toryu-mon.com/Toryu-Mon/Archives/Entries/2010/10/31_Koshirae.html

 

Koshirae:The Mountings of Japanese Swords by C.U. Guido Schiller and S. Alexander Takeuchi

http://www.arscives.com/historysteel/japanesekoshirae.article.htm

[Alex A]

Something that troubles me about koshirae is that it seems to always be definitively categorised, as though at one point in history, the samurai looked at the calender, and at the same time synchronized change. Ive never been able to find an example of a ko kinko tsuba mounted on an uchigatana koshirae. Maybe theres an example in the book Mariusz mentioned, it would be good to see an example, cant find one online.

 

Alex.

[Henry Wilson]

Ive never been able to find an example of a ko kinko tsuba mounted on an uchigatana koshirae. Maybe theres an example in the book Mariusz mentioned, it would be good to see an example, cant find one online.

 

Alex.

If I recall correctly, there are examples in the book Uchigatana Goshirae. It is worth owning a copy if you are anyway interested in Uchigatana mountings.

 

A quick search on my iPhone pulls up this pic. I am quite sure the koshirae on the right has a soft metal tsuba.

[Alex A]

Yes, cheers Henry, I will look into that, especially with Xmas on its way :D

 

Great to see!, ive seen this image before, but its gone unnoticed, thanks, mission accomplished

 

 

Alex.

[Soshin]

Something that troubles me about koshirae is that it seems to always be definitively categorised, as though at one point in history, the samurai looked at the calender, and at the same time synchronized change.

 

Hi Alex A.,

 

Dating anything like Ko-Kinko tsuba would require setting a broad range of years as possible production dates for use in a uchigatana goshirae. I will be dating my Ko-Kinko from approximately 1400-1568 on my write up for my website. I wanted to get other opinions as this is the first Ko-Kinko tsuba I have had in my collection.

 

P.S. Looking at Henry W. photo of nice examples the last uchigatana goshirae on the right has a Ko-Kinko tsuba likely about the same size of my tsuba.