Mumei Tsuba - What about the school?

[Kurikata]

Dear all,

 

refering to this tsuba I have no clue regarding the school... Refering to flat inlays , It might be Kaga school but the global pictures could bring to Shoami School. Your views please.

[Spartancrest]

Bruno, If I owned it I wouldn't care who made it - I would be thankful just to have it! Beautiful piece!!  

[But I wish you good luck with your search] 

[kissakai]

I have one with a similar palette, Aizu Shoami

 

[Kurikata]

Thanks Grev. Aizu Shoami as expected. I still does not understand why those artists with such skills didn't sign their production...

[Brian]

Love these demos of mixed metal inlay. 4 different metals if I am not mistaken?

[Kurikata]

Brian, 

5 metals if you add the iron plate. 

 

But you are right, as far as the inlays are concerned, we have 4 different metals:

- Suaka

- Shakudo

- Silver/ Shibuichi

- Gold (golden leaf)

I like this mix of colours very much.

 

[Curran]

Those hitsu ana, mixed metal inlay, arrow design, etc...

Probably Aizu Shoami like Grev said.

 

I'm partial to archery themes. 4 of the 5 kozuka I own are arrow themes.

The Aizu Shoami group seems to make some of the most dramatic arrow relate themes. I owned one of gold, silver, shakudo yanone design for many years.

Great display piece.

 

[Japan2112]

I really like that tsuba too, and the arrow theme. It gives an impression similar to old woodblock designs of a warrior amid a hail of arrows. What are its dimensions, and what makes this Aizu Shoami?

[kissakai]

This was my tsuba that is similar in style to yours

 

[Kurikata]

18 hours ago, Japan2112 said:

I really like that tsuba too, and the arrow theme. It gives an impression similar to old woodblock designs of a warrior amid a hail of arrows. What are its dimensions, and what makes this Aizu Shoami?

Mark,

 

Aizu Shoami school kantei points as @Curran explained :

* Hitsu ana similar in shape both sides (Kogai @ kozuka)

* flat rounded shape (maru)

* accumulation of soft metals

* design of arrows

 

Size of the tsuba is 8,5 cm in diameter.

[Japan2112]

I got in now. Merci.

[GRC]

When I see tsuba with multiple colours like that, I usually think Aizu shoami.

I just came across this botanical themed tsuba online that also has a similar combination of metal inlays, signed Zaiya, who is apparently from the Shonai Shoami school, ca. 1850