Tsuba help

[vajo]

I have these Tsuba on a koshirae for a seki sword. The plate looks like a Kunihiro styled Tsuba.

 

There is a mei, maybe something with masa xy. The iron plate is lacquered red/brown (black).

 

I dont know why it is chiseld around the nakago ana, but maybe someone has seen this on other pieces and could help with the mei.

 

[Gunome]

Hello,

 

The chiseling around the nakago ana is to fit the nakago ana to the blade.

This "push" the iron Inside the nakago ana and tighten more the blade.

 

So a technical reason Under these mark and not an artistic one.

 

Sorry hard to read the mei.

[vajo]

Interesting.

This was made exactly for a sword to fit a tsuba that was not made for a the sword? The Tsuba fits thighten on the blade.

The omote side is chiseld too.

[Gunome]

Yes, these marks are done to fit nakago ana of the tsuba to the nakago of a sword.

If it is tight on your sword, so probably done to fit this sword. Must not be a tsuba reused.

[vajo]

Thanks Sebastien.

Another question. Lacquered Tsuba, i have non experience with it. Was this made all the periods or mostley in later times?

[Gunome]

Sorry I don't know.

I have see old tsuba lacquered but cannot tell you when it have been done: old times or later times.

maybe another more experienced member has the info

[vajo]

The Tsuba reminds me on that saya design.