Jorgensen Posted January 17, 2014 Report Posted January 17, 2014 Dear collectors, I was given this tsuba as a gift that I quickly judge to be a cast or repro, but after closer look, the sekigane puzzles me... I would like your opinions... Quote
hxv Posted January 17, 2014 Report Posted January 17, 2014 I don't see any obvious telltale of a cast tsuba. Perhaps repro, but not cast. Hoanh Quote
ROKUJURO Posted January 17, 2014 Report Posted January 17, 2014 I think it is a new Chinese metal decoration disc, perhaps not cast but from a press, and not a repro as there are probably no Japanese originals looking similar. Quote
hxv Posted January 17, 2014 Report Posted January 17, 2014 I think it is a new Chinese metal decoration disc, perhaps not cast but from a press, and not a repro as there are probably no Japanese originals looking similar. Yes, the figure on the tsuba reminds me of a heroic character from the Chinese Three-Kingdom era. Oh well, if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck... Hoanh Quote
Pete Klein Posted January 17, 2014 Report Posted January 17, 2014 Most likely Meiji export work. The sekigane was most likely not original but added when someone tried to use this on a sword or perhaps it might have been added to make the 'tsuba' look legitimate. In any case it's not really a tsuba as the omote seppadai area is not flat enough to allow a seppa to seat properly and therefore would be more of an 'art piece'. Looking at the surface there is too much discoloration / blotchy areas to be new. Just my two pfennig. PS: by definition of the papering organizations if a 'tsuba' cannot be mounted for use on a sword it is not a tsuba and cannot be papered. Quote
christianmalterre Posted January 17, 2014 Report Posted January 17, 2014 It´s Orig. please compare this exemplaire here with Lot 1089 Bonhams Auction Tue.Oct.8 2013 "Arts of the Samurai" New York lot sold and seems a pretty close of with the yours exemplaire... same school,same time..(could be even same artist?,didn´t verify yet as i just saw your´s post and grabbed for the catalogue...) i do know of an 3th similar one in an befriends possession-PM me if you are interested in further info... This one was sold via Nagel auction house in autumn 2013... catalogue equally here in mine bookshelf....if you like i can give you auction result(as it sold Dito)and info... Christian Quote
kaigunair Posted January 17, 2014 Report Posted January 17, 2014 Yes, the figure on the tsuba reminds me of a heroic character from the Chinese Three-Kingdom era. Oh well, if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck... I believe the theme is shoki the Oni slayer. Not sure if the original legend/god myth was developed during the three-kingdom era, but not really a historical character... http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shoki.shtml These stamped + cast repros are probably the ones that catch the new collectors off guard. I believe there is an original of this exact design. I've come across ebay auctions where the original, genuine tsuba is picture but I've seen knocks off. When I email the seller in China asking whether I will be sent what is picture or a link to the repro, I'm inevitable told it is one the pictured, but it has been since sold and the auction listing is pulled..... scary. edit: guess this might be real! I would say this borders on hamamono / dock work for export. I'm still not completely sold on it being original, because that patina/verdigris really makes me think artificial aging. But the mouth work and the hair details did/do sorta point towards real.... Quote
Jorgensen Posted January 17, 2014 Author Report Posted January 17, 2014 Thank you all for your help and interest... Pete Klein... I thought you was right, but decided to test it with a standard size seppa, and actually the seppadai is flat enough for the seppa! Please see the added pictures... Christian... Very interesting. PM sent! Thanks for sharing and taking your time. Junichi... I cross my fingers you are right, and its real... Maybe someone can help and translate the mei? Quote
John A Stuart Posted January 17, 2014 Report Posted January 17, 2014 Do you have a more clear pic for the second kanji? I see Masa 政 something + kao. John Quote
Pete Klein Posted January 17, 2014 Report Posted January 17, 2014 OK -- proof is in the pudding. Tsuba it is... :| Quote
christianmalterre Posted January 17, 2014 Report Posted January 17, 2014 Tsuba(open paranthese!)-...it is Meiji?...(an Yep from mine part here so far..) Well?-what else mine friend Pete? Those but "unfortunately"/inexpectingly-?....do their´s job....?( ) ? Christian Quote
Pete Klein Posted January 17, 2014 Report Posted January 17, 2014 Well Christian, mine goodness gracious, me-oh-my... here then is mine feelings on the subject: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npjOSLCR2hE Or, of course you could, 'fill in the blank': viewtopic.php?f=56&t=17894 Quote
Jorgensen Posted January 17, 2014 Author Report Posted January 17, 2014 Do you have a more clear pic for the second kanji? I see Masa 政 something + kao. John Yep, here it is. Thanks for your help. Quote
Jorgensen Posted January 17, 2014 Author Report Posted January 17, 2014 Masachika 政周 John Thank you very much John Btw... measures are 84 mm (height) x 82 mm (width) x 4 mm (thickness at nakago-ana). Quote
John A Stuart Posted January 18, 2014 Report Posted January 18, 2014 So, same kanji, different reading. Thomas, did you find this artist's exemplar somewhere? John Quote
hxv Posted January 18, 2014 Report Posted January 18, 2014 Thank you Thomas. http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20190/lot/7/ Hoanh Quote
Pete Klein Posted January 18, 2014 Report Posted January 18, 2014 Does anyone else here find it interesting that in one year the same auction company at two different locations sells three variations of the same tsuba, all un-papered, for three different amounts, all of which are 'expensive', and the maker is not to be found (at least I couldn't find it) in Haynes??? I believe the 'made for export' attribution is gaining street cred... PS: Jimi-san -- "SELL! SELL! SELL"! (lol) Randolf Duke, 'Trading Places' Quote
christianmalterre Posted January 18, 2014 Report Posted January 18, 2014 (they do their´s business as usual!) LOL! Christian Quote
Pete Klein Posted January 18, 2014 Report Posted January 18, 2014 Oh, please don't get me wrong. I'm not criticizing Bonham's. They're just doing their job. It's the fact that these tsuba showed up and sold the way they did I am referring to. Quote
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