ishiguro or tanaka school or other ?

[roger dundas]

Purchased in 2012 as bronze plate, a small amount of surface oxidation could be seen.

 

Could I ask for clarification of maker and smith please and an idea of the condition of the heron or is it an egret ?

Other than the amount of damage to the bird- (flattened body, marked beak), the rest looks O.K to such as me ?

 

80 x 75 x 4.6 at rim          Masamune the maker I think ?

 

thanks in anticipation

 

Roger Dundas

[Kurikata]

Hi Roger, I think the signature is: 正常 (masatsune) Not Ishiguro neither Tanaka. As for the bird I would consider it as a Kingfisher.

[roger dundas]

Thanks for your response Bruno- I didn't get too much right with my ideas so again, thanks.

 

Roger D.

[roger dundas]

Another question in my mind is about when was this made ?

Before the end of the edo period or later in the meiji period when it would be sold more as a relic or souvenir than a tsuba for mounting?

 

Although advertised as bronze, the plate is a fine, brown coloured iron and the gold bird seems fairly solid in construction.

 

If anyone else would care to comment I would be grateful- only have around 6 or 8 more to post and then I'm out of your hair.

 

Roger D

[peterd]

All guess work but i would say late Edo. Looks Like it could have been mounted at one time. Leaves look like shakudo. Base metal looks like patternated shinchu (Brass) or copper.

[roger dundas]

It is iron Peter- checked it the other day. A nice (whatever nice means) chocolate brown colour.

Probably a bit late with this ?

 

Roger d

[Kurikata]

Roger,

 

Haynes lists 9 Masatsune with those Kanji and all were active around 1800.

[roger dundas]

Once again- thanks for your replies, Bruno. Much appreciated.

 

Roger d