Kanji Iron Tsuba, Deciphered Some

[Gasam]

Hi all,

 

Not at all a tsuba expert, but thought I might get a few to study. Might bid on this one, even if a rusty old thing.

 

Deciphered the ura side of this tsuba, fairly certain. But the inscription to the right of the nakago-ana on the omote side eludes me a bit...

 

I know it is my inexperience in deciphering kanji that does this, but I cannot for the life of me find matching kanji (to my eyes at least) on the tsuba kanji pages. (not to mention the time spent tearing out hair until I realised images was mirrored, haha!).

 

At any rate: ura side has aoi mon and kanji yasu tsugu ( fairly certain about this).

 

Omote side is a bit of a mystery for me.

 

There were a line of sword makers named yasutsugu who also were allowed to use the aoi mon on the nakago of their swords, but signature differs quite a bit from theirs I think. Also, shouldnt the mei be besides the nakago-ana and not on towards the edge on the ura side...

 

 

 

[Kurikata]

Mr Samsonsen,

 

can you provide a full picture of the Tsuba ? Form , style, are indicators too.

 

Thank you

 

Bruno

[MauroP]

Possibly

延壽作 - Enju saku

Mauro

[Gasam]

 

 

can you provide a full picture of the Tsuba ? Form , style, are indicators too.

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your inputs Mauro and Bruno.

 

here is a full picture.

 

Edit, height is 8.2 centimeters.

[Kurikata]

Sorry for being late in reverting to you.

 

Might be the signature of Kudo Enju from Kaga province who died in 1875.....

[Gasam]

hi again Bruno,

 

Interesting indeed :-)

 

Thank you again.

[Toryu2020]

Looking forward to more pictures of the Yasutsugu if you pick it up,

I have a similar example among my pieces,

-t

[Gasam]

Heya,

 

Will post if successful in aquiring :-)

[Gasam]

Hi,

 

Was able to aquire this tsuba as well. Will post pics in a few weeks :-) .

 

all the best,

[Gasam]

Tsuba arrived, less rust irl than on sellers pics. This one will be fun to study :-)

[Gasam]

pic2, srgb color profile helped. Slightly out of focus but they are not too bad...

 

ca 0.3 cm thick, 8,2 diameter.

[Kurikata]

Mr Samsonsen,

 

I like this tsuba very much and you did a great purchase. We can imagine that fuchi/kashira themes was "chidori" trying to escape this sea eagle......

[John A Stuart]

I wonder why Yasutsugu, 康継 ? Has this something to do with THE Yasutsugu swordsmith of Hollyhock mon fame, as seen on that side of the tsuba, in admiration for or homage to?  Not a mei as such. but, an honourific naming. John

[Bazza]

I wonder why Yasutsugu, 康継 ? Has this something to do with THE Yasutsugu swordsmith of Hollyhock mon fame, as seen on that side of the tsuba, in admiration for or homage to?  Not a mei as such. but, an honourific naming. John

Seeing this mei I wonder if the maker was the same artisan who made a kogatana in an en suite wakizashi koshirae I have.  The tosogu are mumei Yoshioka late Edo, so it seems reasonable to presume the kogatana was made about the same time.  Any information on the smith welcome.

 

Bestests,

BaZZa.

[Gasam]

Seeing this mei I wonder if the maker was the same artisan who made a kogatana in an en suite wakizashi koshirae I have.  The tosogu are mumei Yoshioka late Edo, so it seems reasonable to presume the kogatana was made about the same time.  Any information on the smith welcome.

 

Bestests,

BaZZa.

 

Hi,

 

This nice article has tons of info about the Yasutsugu school of swordmakers, complete with signature references for different generations etc. A very nicely done piece of research this , imo.

 

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

[Gasam]

Hi again,

 

Mr Paul Martin has an interesting theory about the yasutsugu kanji and aoi mon, and I quote with his kind permission:

 

"Given my experience with Japanese craftsmen, I am wondering if it is possible that a generation of the Yasutsugu school provided an iron blank tsuba for the artisan to carve. Just a thought."

 

This makes sense to me. Swordsmith supplying high quality iron blank for tsuba artist. In such a situation, you might want to "brand" the tsuba as it were on the back side, if you have a reputation for high quality iron works or such...

[Gasam]

Heyas,

 

Updte for those interested: this tsuba was able to pass NBTHK Hozon shinsa. It was not submitted for TH.

Papers are pending and it will be interesting to see exactly what they say :-) Thanks to all who helped above.

[peterd]

Nobu Toshi Saku ??