My 1st tsuba... need some info please

[Aldwin]

Hello everyone!

 

I finally acquired my first tsuba (that's within my budget). I'd really appreciate some information regarding the age, school, theme, etc.

 

So far, here are what I came up with my very, very limited knowledge:

 

Maru gata (that's the easiest one) :D

Has been mounted (?)

Silver inlay that is supposed to be a moon?

Copper (or brass?) inlay - bird, mountain (or are those trees?), I'm really not sure and some along the riverside (what are those supposed to be and what type of bird is that, a swallow?)

Surface carving (if its really carved at all) - sukidashibori or takabori iroe or... I really don't know

Age: Edo (according to the seller)

 

Measurements: 7.18cm x 6.88cm

Seppadai: 0.51cm

 

Pictures below are from the seller. I'd be posting actual pictures when it's already in my possession, when it arrives hopefully by next week.

 

I'd very much appreciate the corrections and additional information regarding this tsuba.

 

Thanks,

Aldwin

[docliss]

Dear Aldwin

 

Like other members, I am sure, I look forward to seeing some more photographs of your new acquisition - hopefully with better lighting of the iron plate.

 

Regards, John L.

[Rich S]

Looks possibly like later period Nara school work.

 

Rich S

[pcfarrar]

I have a very similar tsuba and its attributed to Aizu Shoami.

[Rich S]

Yes, Aizu Shoami is certainly a possibility as is Mito. By mid-late Edo

Nara, Mito, Aizu Shoami are basically indistinquishable (with some major

exceptions).

 

Rich S

[Aldwin]

Hello everyone,

 

Thanks so much for the replies. I will definitely add new pictures when it arrives within the week.

 

So this tsuba could possibly be a Nara, Aizu Shoami, or Mito work?

 

Peter, I would very much appreciate if you can post a picture of your similar tsuba so we can compare.

 

As this is my first tsuba, I would like to know more about it. But with my very, very limited knowledge, I can only speculate.

 

Thanks!

[Rich S]

Aldwin -

 

You can see some of mine on my Nara and other Tsuba pages at:

 

http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/tsuba/nara.htm

 

Rich S

[Aldwin]

Thanks so much Dr Richard Stein, your website is really informative.

 

Best regards,

[pcfarrar]

Peter, I would very much appreciate if you can post a picture of your similar tsuba so we can compare.

 

Mine is the same theme, but different design.

[Aldwin]

Hello Peter,

 

That's really a nice tsuba and it does have the same theme as mine. Thanks for sharing.

[loiner1965]

when i come home later i will post my tsuba on here as i been told its a top quality nara or aizu shoami possibly 18 century....am sure some of you have seen before as i posted it on other forums along with the note that came with it