Iron Tsuba: Unsure Of Authenticity

[tantographics]

Hi

 

I've come across a listing for a tsuba where the seller stated he bought it at a market during visit to Japan.  I did a search for something similar and eventually ended up here.  It is exactly like the one featured in previous post but without the copper and gold inlay  - http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/6205-tsubaoriginal-and-copy/

 

However, this tsuba is missing the copper and gold inlay.  I've uploaded images for review. 

 

Is this tsuba fake?  The seller has listed the price at $175.00 (Canadian), which seems steep after viewing other tsuba listed for sale.

 

Any assistance would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

David

[Gasam]

Hi,

 

It looks genuine to me, but someone will answer with more authority :-)

[Marius]

Cast fake.

[Leporello]

This tsuba can be seen very often on ebay and other market places ... it´s a cast fake, sorry!!!

[Grey Doffin]

Hi David,

The plug in the kotsuka hitsu-ana is the same material as the tsuba.  This could happen with a kinko tsuba but never with an iron one; if the tsuba is iron the plug will be copper, shakudo, silver or gold foil over copper, or lead, but not iron.  If this tsuba were mounted, parts of the design would fall under the seppa (the oni's fist and the ring around the monk).  This happened on some real tsuba that were made very late, very fancy (very high end), and to be collected, not mounted.  You'll also sometimes see earlier, utilitarian pieces with parts of the ornament under the seppa but in these cases the ornament is flush with the surface, not raised, so the seppa will sit properly.  Look at the nakago hitsu-ana.  The rounded top and the lack of copper inserts top and bottom (or evidence that there ever were any) are other tips that this is a fake.

If you'd like to buy tsuba you need either to buy only from trusted and knowledgeable sellers or to study before you buy.  Your current level of knowledge is just enough to get you in trouble (no shame in this; we've all been there).  There are many great books on great tsuba; one of these should be your next purchase.

Grey

[Curran]

Bad 'tsuba'.

Spend your money elsewhere. Or save it.

[Gasam]

Hah,

 

Shows how wrong one can be :-)

[tantographics]

I've seen a lot of tsuba for sale on ebay that were Chinese made and my "spidey" senses were already full swing after viewing this item.  Glad for the internet, took a while to locate something similar.  I recognized the Oni but the monk (Hotei) through me for a loop because the head profile looked to have a beard which was braided.  

 

Thanks to everyone who responded to my query.