Could It Be 5th Generation Tadatoki Tsuba

[Krystian]

Hello, 

 

Here is musashino sukashi tsuba in rather poor condition.

 

 

 

 

 

There are traces of signature that look like "忠時" Tadotaki. However If you have other opinions I would be happy to hear them. 

 

 

Making an assumption that it is Tadatoki signature I started looking at signatures of different generations to find any similarities. Only distinctive part I was able to find is the stroke circled in red.

 

 

It starts away from the center and does not make a closed square, like in most Tadatoki signatures. I was able to find signatures of Tadatoki 5th generation with the same way of carving this part of signature (tsuba no. 46 in Akasaka Tsuba by Sano Art Museum). 

 

Design of this tsuba is also similar to no. 46. It is signed on the back side, kozuka and kogai ana are similar and  rim looks fin and delicate.

 

I wonder what are your opinions. Or is it do damaged to say anything?

 

Regards, 

Krystian 

[vajo]

Give it a very good care and you can improve the condition but it takes a long time.. 

[ROKUJURO]

If material is lost because of corrosion, you can care as much as you like, but the MEI will not become more distinct. I would choose the way of design comparison to get closer to an assignment.