Help point me in the right direction... please!

[benkyoka]

Hello fellow collectors and enthusiasts.

 

I recently was given these two tsuba and I really would like to know more about them. Unfortunately, I am terribly ignorant when it comes to fittings (even worse than the blades) and don't know where to start.

 

Can anyone point me in the direction of which school these are from and also what style? Thanks for looking!

[Bugyotsuji]

I am probably more ignorant than you are, but since you ask to be pointed in the right direction, I think you should first of all point the Tsuba upwards, not downwards! :lol:

 

(Well, if you look at the designs on them, they are traditionally displayed with the point of the nakago hitsu ana upwards, even though in actual use on a drawn sword they will spend much of their time with the blade and corresponding Tsuba apex pointed downwards.)

[benkyoka]

I am probably more ignorant than you are, but since you ask to be pointed in the right direction, I think you should first of all point the Tsuba upwards, not downwards! :lol:

 

 

When I scanned the tsuba and first looked at the picture I had an internal debate with myself over which way was up. Not ironically, I was incorrect.

[Stephen]

see if i can get something right

[Bugyotsuji]

Mmmm... that's much better. I like both of them, but the one on the right is quite unusual.

[Nobody]

I believe that the sukashi on the right tsuba depicts an Ikari (錨 = anchor) on the seabed.

Ref. http://www.otomiya.com/kamon/kibutsu/ikari.htm

[Brian]

If I have to guess, I would say the one on the left is Bushu or Choshu.

As for the one on the right, well..it is a-typical. Has some features of a katchushi tsuba, but with some unusual designs and highlights. Hoping for some input from the others here.

 

Brian