Please Help With Shakudo Tsuba

[Peter Bleed]

Dear Friends,

I find myself in possession of a tsuba that looks interesting but that i cannot not begin to assess.

This is a small katana sized guard, 6.7x7.4 c. It is unsigned  but in nice condition. I am impressed that the diamond shape in the 1:00 position of the omote surface is rather nicely outlined with ito-sukashi. Coool.

Any advice about what to call this pieces. School, age, etc?

Thanks

Peter

 

[John A Stuart]

Blingko!!! Sorry, but, this could be made yesterday using stencils. No, not that really, but, no art here. Trinketry, no? John

[MauroP]

Hi  Peter,

I'm pretty confident I have the correct answer.

I enclose one of my record cards of NBTHK certified tsuba taken from the net. Unfortunately the original link no longer works.

NBTHK - 3 - 03503.pdf

Bye, Mauro

[Stephen]

Grrrrrr i bid on this both times he had it on ebay, asking for more pix, he promised more to come, and asked if id look at the sword, told him the tsuba should stay with the sword, seeing his location i sent him to Mr. Bleed ...so your welcome Peter....the rest of the story sir if you please....the sword???

[Peter Bleed]

Well, gee. This story has developed faster than I thought it might. And Thank you, Steve. I owe you another one!

I got a call at my office number from a fellow who lives - literally - around the corner from me. He and his dog walked over yesterday with this rig. More later. I looked at it on our front porch and asked about its history. Actually, it wears a lot of its history, More later. But my neighbor told me it had been on eBay  where it had attracked some attention and that "a  guy" told the seller to contact me. (What are the chances that anybody would EVER, get a contact via eBay?). Apparently they also checked me out  with some local antique scouts and gun slicks. And, taahhhh dahhhh, it shows up on my front porch and I have to beat the eBay price - which I did.

 

Now, John I hope you will explain your post. Are you saying this is mere mid-Edo "bling"? I wouldn't disagree altho I am not sure that one should be too dismissive of such stuff.

 

And the rest of the  rig? Well, it had been a pretty nice looking late shinto town sword, But it has also had some rough treatment and spent too long in a wet basement. Tsuka is essentially gone. The blade is stained with a broken tip. Construction is visible -hiro-suguha with solid itame - and it will certainly polish well. It is signed Mishina Tashima Kami KANEMITSU. Looks ubu but there is a silver-filled ana near the jiri. I'll post a picture if anybody want to see one.

 

Peter

[Stephen]

http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&item=182067654212&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2565

 

Much older than yesterday ..IMHO

[Brian]

Wow..small world. Nice one Stephen. And what are the chances the guys lives walking distance to Peter?

[nagamaki - Franco]

 

I got a call at my office number from a fellow who lives - literally - around the corner from me. He and his dog walked over yesterday with this rig.  And, taahhhh dahhhh, it shows up on my front porch and I have to beat the eBay price - which I did.

 

 

Peter

 

Once again, it's the tsuba that finds the owner, ha! 

[Stephen]

Once again, it's the tsuba that finds the owner, ha!  

 

 

yea by proxy...lol 

[John A Stuart]

Peter?, Yes, too 3rd party interior decorator for me. Some bling is alright, crowded more and more not so much. John

[SAS]

Good job Stephen and congrats to the new owner...I think the tsuba has a nice appeal...not all tastes agree.