Two Tsuba

[Steve Waszak]

Offering two tsuba here:

 

1.  A small sword guard of slightly trapezoidal shape, measuring 5.1cm along the bottom and 4.9cm along the top, and 5.2cm in height.  The quality is excellent, and the design very appealing (IMHO ).  The iron is of a beautiful color and texture, and contrasts wonderfully with the interior metal, which I believe to be lead.  This interior metal is itself textured to created a stippled effect that, again, contrasts with the hammered surface of the iron. 

 

I am uncertain which "school" this tsuba belongs to.  The Akao group in Echizen produced guards of a similar design, though theirs often utilized the form of salmon as the "crossbars" in the rendering of the work.  In any event, this is a very well made and designed guard.  In my experience, it is not easy to find smaller works of this quality.  This would date to the early-Edo Period I believe.  $600, plus shipping costs.

 

 

2.  A kikugata iron tsuba, also of the early-Edo Period, though late-Momoyama may be a possibility, based on the large size of the added hitsuana.  Again, the tradition or school this guard comes out of is uncertain (to me).  The tsuba measures 7.1 - 7.2cm, and 3.5 - 4mm in thickness.  The hitsuana addition is most skillfully accomplished; I find it adds an area of interest to the piece, and creates a pleasing contrast with the size of the other hitsuana.  Noteworthy is the width of the nakago-ana: it would seem to have been made to accommodate a heavy-bodied blade.  SOLD.

 

Cheers,

 

Steve

[vajo]

I never seen this kind of adding a hitsu ana. What a nice work. 

[Steve Waszak]

I agree:  it is very adroitly done.  It's one of the attractive features of the tsuba, I think. 

[Steve Waszak]

Kikugata tsuba is sold.  Many thanks to the buyer.