Unusual Cutout On Shoami Morikuni Tsuba

[Timur]

It was always a puzzle for me - the 3 sides square cutout on the mimi on Shoami Morikuni tsuba I had for a while. 

Recently bought another one by him with the same feature.

Does anybody know what they were made for? 

[Curran]

I had a tsuba with the same '6pm' notching that I sold too cheap to Mark Whalberg (of PA).

It was in the middle of a beautiful shakudo mimi.

 

We theorized back then that it was done so the tsuba could be displayed upright in some sort of stand.

It was obviously not original to the tsuba.

[Timur]

Curran, thank you for the comment. Though in my case having 2 tsuba by the same master with the same feature... What are the chances of coincidence?

[Curran]

Hmmm. Then you have stumped me.

If you find a 3rd by the same master with the same feature, then it must be something unique to him.

[TETSUGENDO]

Perhaps the notch is a place to tie a cord to secure the sword in the saya, or a cord could be tied for securing around the wrist?

 

-S-

[Grey Doffin]

Perhaps something to do with joining the 2 ends of a fukurin?

Grey

[John A Stuart]

Are you sure about these tsuba? John

[RobertM]

What's strange is that the cut is not very "clean"?

[Timur]

Are you sure about these tsuba? John

Both have Hozon papers...

[Timur]

Perhaps something to do with joining the 2 ends of a fukurin?

Grey

I like this theory, Grey, need to study other tsuba from this school.

[Pete Klein]

I am wondering if Grey is onto something with the fukurin idea.  If you enlarge the pictures you can see there is a circumferential channel on both omote and ura between the central elements and the mimi which could very well accommodate a fukurin.  The mimi patina is also a bit different and seems a bit rough which might indicate a fukurin was placed at one time.  I've not seen this before but it could be something associated with the school or perhaps a specific technique of placement to prevent rotation of the fukurin.  Interesting.

[TETSUGENDO]

Your "channels" are present everywhere one element borders another, the only association I would make would be one with  rudimentary  workmanship.  

 

-S- 

[yogoro]

Perhaps something to do with joining the 2 ends of a fukurin?

Grey

Next Iyo Shoami School Tsuba, signed YOSHU MATSUYAMA SHOAMI SOSHO / CHUKO KAIZAN MORIKUNI SAKU KORE .

The oval copper plate carved with ferns, applied with a shakudo rim.A better photo  shows a similar cut  place where where the fukurin connects.

[Alan Morton]

I hate to state the obvious What does Ford Say?

Alan

[TETSUGENDO]

Well done Mikolaj,

 

You have produced the proverbial "smoking gun", end of discussion...FINI!  No "channels" involved, a clear shot of the mysterious slot in use, a crude but effective technique.  Does anyone else have examples of the use of this technique by other schools or individuals?  They would be interesting to see.

 

-S-

[Pete Klein]

[Timur]

The oval copper plate carved with ferns, applied with a shakudo rim.A better photo  shows a similar cut  place where where the fukurin connects.

Well done, Mikolaj. Thank you!