Excellent Katchushi Tsuba By Yamakichibei (Later Generation)

[Marius]

A large iron tsuba, which is an utsushi of a Ko-Katchushi tsuba. This tsuba was most likely made by a later master carrying the Yamakichibei name in the late Edo Period (yondai Yamakichibei).  

 

You might want to compare the signature to examples of the yondai from Okamoto's Owari to Mikawa no Tanko (page 165). 

 

The ko-sukashi represents two monkey toys (kukurizaru).  The plate is large, the iron very dense. The rim has a uchikaeshi-mimi with  subtle tekkotsu. The tsuba has excellent brownish-black patina. Surface finish is superb tsuchime, giving the guard a wonderful texture and refined appearance. 

 

The tsuba comes with a custom fitted box with a hakogaki by Kanzan Satō describing the tsuba and attributing it to kodai Yamakichibei. The hakogaki is dated: summer in the year of the Rabbit of the Shōwa Period. 

 

The tsuba has imposing presence. The iron is beautiful, very dense and heavy. The workmanship is superb.  I have posted pics from Owari To Mikawa no Tanko and Markus Sesko's translations to show you both signatures of the yondai as well as two of his tsuba (with descriptions). In the pine needle sukashi" tsuba you will see similar iron and hammer work including rim as in the katchushi offered for sale. 

 

Size: 8.8 cm x 8.8 cm, 3mm at seppa dai and 3.5 mm at rim

 

 

Hakogaki (courtesy of Morita san):

 

Top of Cover:

山吉兵　後代 (Yamakichibei Kodai)

甲冑師写 (Kachushi Utsushi)

茸小透鍔 (Kinoko Kosukashi Tsuba)

 

Inside Cover:

丸形鉄地小透 (Marugata Tetsuji Kosukashi)

銘山吉兵後代也 (Mei Yamakichibei kodai Nari)

甲冑師写見事ニ (Kachushi Utsushi migoto-ni- )

出来候御作 (deki soro onsaku. )

昭和乙卯年夏日 (Showa, Kinoto-wu (no) toshi, ka-jitsu)

寒山誌 +kao (Kanzan shirusu + kao)

 

Under Base:

小山正司 (Oyama/Koyama Shoji)

括猿小透鍔 (Kukuri-zaru, Kosukashi Tsuba) 

 

Best of all, this excellent tsuba for only:

 

$950 incl. shipping, PayPal extra, please

 

I have to wonder how much this excellent iron tsuba would cost in Japan. But since my sword passion is expensive, I need to move it fast, hence the price. No further discounts, this is as good as it gets. A few days only. A very yummy tart