Help ID the school please

[Rodenbacher]

Dear Gentlemen,

 

this Tsuba was sold to me as Akasaka, but I think it seems to me as it was Kyo Sukashi. What do the experts think?

 

Another question: is the crack in the mimi a proof for a layered construction of the plate - or is it just a crack, nothing more?

 

Regards

 

Peter

[Michael 101]

Hi Peter,

 

Could well be Akasaka - could you help by providing the measurements, height, width and thickness (at thinest and thickest parts)

 

Kindest regards

 

Michael

[ROKUJURO]

Peter,

 

this is likely an open folding seam and not a crack. It might even not be considered as KIZU. As long as there is no rust, I would'nt worry too much about it.

 

The MARU MIMI calls more for AKASAKA than KYO, I think, but the fine SUKASHI is typical for many KYO SUKASHI TSUBA. Our experts will surely know, and I will wish I had'nt given it a try.......

[Gunome]

Hello,

 

May I am off the mark but to me this one looks more a Higo (Hayashi ?) than an Akasaka.

Indeed, a very nice tsuba

[Rodenbacher]

Thanks a lot!

 

The height of the Tsuba is 86mm, the width is 82mm,the thickness is 5mm (mimi and seppa dai).

[Rodenbacher]

Any other opinions?

[Soshin]

Any other opinions?

 

Hi Peter,

 

What are the measurements of the tusba? Please include the thickness at rim as well as well as the center. I will then offer an opinion upon completely an analysis.

[Rodenbacher]

Hi Soshin,

 

Already done just two posts before!

[Soshin]

Hi Peter,

 

Sorry about that and relax we are all volunteers here. :lol: I was reading your initial post with the photos only and didn't notice your reply. The iron and patina is not at all what I would expect for Higo or more specifically the Hayashi school. To me your tsuba looks like a late Kyo-Sukashi also known as Daigoro made circa the late Edo Period about 1800 to 1820. The name of these tsuba were coined from a dealer in sword guards located in Kyoto who was named Daimonjiya Gorobei. The large size, round rim, and flat uniform thickness are a few of the characteristics of this type of late Kyo-Sukashi substyle. More square rim will be found on earlier Kyo-Sukashi works before the Genroku Period. The opening on the rim is considered a kizu or flaw but would not be considered a fatal one by any means. Hope you find the information helpful.

[Stephen]

question on these tsuba, aesthetically its very pleasing to my eye, but would it function well? Hold up in battle? seems to me it would collapse.

Thoughts?

[Rodenbacher]

Dear Soshin

 

thanks a lot. That was very helpful. I did not think it's Daigoro because I have seen only Pictures of Daigoro Tsuba with rather complicated structures. Motifs of reeds or so, distributed about all the plate, tiny sukashi -a bit like Namban Tsuba. But you are right, it really could be a Daigoro. It makes more and more sense the more I think about it. Thank you very much.

[Rodenbacher]

Dear Stephen,

 

In the time when this Tsuba was made, Tsuba and Kodogu where rather a symbol of status than functional fighting items. But in this case I think it would have worked. The iron is forged and wouldn't break. You will find finely carved sukashi Tsuba also in the Momoyama and Genroku period when Samurai really used them for fighting.

[Soshin]

Hi Peter,

 

I forgot a few things as well. Akasaka openwork has a very distinct style consisting of thin openwork elements with sharp acute angles. Early they had many orginial designs but later did more coping of designs of the Higo schools. The Hayashi school and later Kamiyoshi school of Higo Province would often produce tsuba that consistently had thinner rims with thicker centers. This was often opposite in the Akasaka, Owari, and Shōami groups. The Kyō-Sukashi group later as the Edo Period advanced during which the sub style of Daigoro was produced made large tsuba with rounder rims and more uniform thickness like your tsuba. Here is more information: http://www.shibuiswords.com/daigoroschool.html. Note I am using Sasano later date for the sub style.

 

One historical note Genroku was a Japanese era from 1688-1704 during the middle part of the Edo Period a relatively peaceful time. Combat with the sword likely peaked during the Sengoku Jidai (Warring States Period) before the introduction of firearms by the Portuguese. The sword as noted remain a status symbol throughout the Edo Period.