Help with tsuba

[dhusker]

I recently purchased this tsuba. Can anyone help me with i.d. on date, etc. The seller told me that is was a Shinto period oval iron tsuba. Applied village scene in gold with moon above in copper. Size is 2 7/16 x 2 ¼ inches. Thanks for the help.

 

Dan

[docliss]

Dear Dan

 

Judging by the featureless quality of the iron plate and the very unworn look of the nakago-hitsu, I agree that this is late Edo work. The quality of the inlay is not good, and an attempt has been made to refine it by adding incised detail. The inlay representing vegetation is very simplistic, and the small, rectangular blocks are very reminiscent of ShÅami work — an attribution which is supported by the rather large hitsu-ana. To summarise, I think that your tsuba is late Edo, ShÅami work.

 

Regards, John L.

[dhusker]

Dear Dan

 

Judging by the featureless quality of the iron plate and the very unworn look of the nakago-hitsu, I agree that this is late Edo work. The quality of the inlay is not good, and an attempt has been made to refine it by adding incised detail. The inlay representing vegetation is very simplistic, and the small, rectangular blocks are very reminiscent of ShÅami work — an attribution which is supported by the rather large hitsu-ana. To summarise, I think that your tsuba is late Edo, ShÅami work.

 

Regards, John L.

Thank you for your info and help. Nihonto is so complex that I feel like a first grader on his first day of school. This is the most difficult field of study I have ever attempted. The "tuition" is expensive also. :D

Best Regards,

Dan