Tsuba, Fuchi, And Kashira

[Prewar70]

I really like these and the Fuchi & Kashira seem better quality to me. I'm hoping the Tsuba is legit, I see no casting signs and I like the design. I don't know about the translation, if anyone would like to lend a hand. Look forward to your comments.

[ROKUJURO]

James,

the original TSUBA was probably signed MITSUNAGA SAKU. Yours is obviously cast. Please compare with similar TSUBA originals where you can see the traces of the chisel work clearly. 

FUCHI and KASHIRA look like lower end work to me, especially the NANAKO. TSUKA-ITO is not well done, perhaps not of Japanese origin. 

[Prewar70]

The Tsuba came with a sword I purchased. This is a good learning moment for me. I would have guessed not cast, because the metal inside the cutout for the sword is solid and smooth and there are no casting bubbles, etc. I do not see any layers inside it though, from hammering. It almost looks machine cut it's so solid and smooth. So there is no question this is a cast?

[obiwanknabbe]

 I have one from the same smith.. also cast but in this case i think someone lacquered over it.  Identical Mei. 

[Stephen]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Tsuba-Waves-w-s-MITSUNAGA-IRON-Katana-Japanese-Sword-EDO-Kogai-kozuka-/272323578874?hash=item3f67c00bfa:g:t0oAAOSwnNBXUPnJ

 

same same

[Prewar70]

Thanks Stephen, that pretty much takes care of it. Well I have some consolation that I didn't buy the Tsuba as an individual piece. Can someone explain why the inside doesn't look cast and what else jumps out as being an obvious cast?

[Brian]

I'm not 100% convinced yours is cast. The eBay one, definitely. Lots of indicators there. Seppadai has those vertical marks, and the mei is cast in. Your mei looks like it was cut, and the waves do have some signs of carving. But this could be after the fact. I am not sure either way, but it isn't a very good tsuba even if not cast. Would like Ford's opinion on the manufacture method though.

 

Edit to add: Looking closer, I think yours does have signs of being cast, in the lack of detail, rounded edges and general sloppiness. I would lean that way, but it is better done than the eBay one.

Casting seams are easily filed away, so lack of those doesn't mean too much.