Choshu Tsuba - Comments Welcomed

[benatthelake]

My first Tsuba purchase (not already part of a Koshirae).  Frankly, I think I did pretty well for a very reasonably priced piece.

I can certainly see the dark purple hue in the iron and I love the amount of detail.

Can anyone provide a translation of the mei?

 

According to Jon from Onihonto.com:

Choshu Tsuba from the Edo Period
Diameter: 7.0 cm x 6.8 cm

According to Jon….“Their iron commonly  has a dark purple hue, which is a kantei point.  Choshu tsuba are generally smaller.  This feature was common in other schools, such as Higo.  It is commonly though that using a smaller tsuba was a display of courage among the Bushi.”

Diameter: 7.0 cm x 6.8 cm

Thanks to Jon at Onihonto.com

 

Comments welcomed.

 

Ben M.

[cabowen]

長州萩住井上清高作

 

Choshu Hagi ju Inoue Kiyotaka saku

[jlawson]

A better than average Choshu tsuba. Typically you see these with the Chinese landscape design but having gold highlights is a-typical for these. Choshu had 12 separate families/schools with hundreds of smiths. Kiyotaka was a better than average smith. Here is a published work in soft metal (quite rare BTW) and displays great skill. 

 

 

Kiyotaka Tsuba

[benatthelake]

Chris and James: Thank you for your information. James, I found another reference site which includes work from this Smith.

 

http://www.scholarsresource.com/browse/artist/2142569281

 

I originally thought perhaps mine was perhaps gimei based on your example provided. However it looks more aligned with these other works. Of course I defer to more experienced individuals.

 

Thanks again.

 

Ben M