kinko and sukashi tsuba

[Gunome]

Hello,

 

I saw these 2 tsuba today that puzzled me.

First one, a kinko, I thought meiji due to the partern of the seppa dai.

 

Second one, sukashi tsuba, about 6mm thick. It remind me Akasaka style, but it is the first time I saw a squarish shape like this without round corner.

Any opinion welcome on both tsuba

[Soshin]

Hi Sebastien V.,

 

The first tsuba I agree with your impression likely Meiji Period. The second tsuba looks like a Owari Sukashi tsuba to me. I can discuss some kantei points if you like in my attribution to Owari.

[Gunome]

Hi,

 

Thanks for your reply.

Regarding second one, I am a little lost to attribute it to a school. My guess was Akasaka based on histu ana shape, with doubt on Owari due to the square around the seppa dai & histu ana or Shoami.

It is 7.1 cm long and about 6 mm thick.

I would appreciate your kantei point

 

Please note this is not my tsuba and I have no intention to buy it. Just an educational question.

 

Many thanks

 

Sébastien

[Soshin]

Hi Sebastien V.,

 

Here is a list of a few kantei points that make me think it is Owari and not Akasaka.

 

1. Overall thickness of the plate being greater than 5 mm. With exception of the 3rd generation Akasaka master Akasaka tsuba generally are not that thick.

2. Owari tsuba didn't have any characteristic shape of the ryo hitsu-ana. They do look like they were intended for soft metal inserts.

3. The shape of the rim which looks to be a rounded square shape (kaku-mimi ko-niku). Would need to confirm it with a side view.

4. The elongated and rounded shape of the seppa-dai. The Japanese term for that is "koban gata". The shape of a Edo Period gold coin. Generally speaking Akasaka have smaller and more narrower seppa-dai.

[Gunome]

Hi,

 

Thanks for the kantei points

I confirm you the shape of the mimi is slighty rounded square shape. unfortunatly I haven't a side view picture of it.