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Wan-Gata tsuba


Kmad

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Hi 

I am not sure on etiquette here so apologies for opening a new thread on an item under discussion in the General  Nihonto discussions.

if I should not do this please delete the post.

 

I just wanted to expose the tsuba to as many learned forum members who may not visit the general discussion forum.

 

 

on the sword under discussion I have the belowTsuba

 

It is very dirty but I am leaving as is for the moment as the rest of the fittings on the sword were quiet good can anyone tell me anything about this tsuba othe than it is a Wan Gaga type

 

any idea of style or school and approximate period would be greatly appreciated 

it is slightly oval  70 mm x 75 mm and a depth of  10 mm

 

or anything else you can tell me would be great.

 

looks to be a salamander on one side but the metal of the inlay i am not sure of. On the other side there seems to be a gold colored thread running through the metal.

 

regards and thanks

 

ken

 

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Ken, not a salamander - more likely a rain dragon 'Ameryu'  [bifurcated tail tends to be a design feature of rain dragons, though not all show this]

There are examples here on the NMB link of other Wan-gata guards. Particularly about half way through, with one guard of a very similar shape and a 'Greek' fret pattern matching your rim. [described later as a cookie cutter - but for my two cents worth, more like a bottle cap]

Another https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/292593307040614207/  unfortunately the image no longer links to the original site.

The two identical sized udenuki-ana may reflect the piece was made in China [where the function was not known] or are a design of water droplets rather than intended for a sword strap/cord. [Yes the holes are very dirty]

Sorry but I can't attribute a particular school or maker.

 

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Ken,

your WAN-GATA (not Lady GAGA) TSUBA is rather rare among the many different TSUBA shapes. As far as I can see, it has a little surface rust, but is not really dirty. Please do not clean it, especially not in the openings!

The mythical animal is a rain dragon (AMARYU) which is often seen as decoration on TSUBA.

Almost any metal in Japanese arts was patinated for two reasons: To give it a more antique, used look (shabby chic or WABI SABI in Japanese), and the patination provided a little corrosion protection as well. So probably the dark look was intentional.

In your case, the inlaid metal could be SHAKUDO or silver, maybe other alloys as well.

It is difficult for me to name a school or manufacturing date for your TSUBA which may have some Chinese influence. Many designs and techniques were used by many schools at the end of the EDO period simultaneously. Basically I think the whole KOSHIRAE was made at the same time, but we cannot be sure that this applies to the TSUBA as well. 

As we have a great specialist in the West, I really suggest that you discuss that with Ford Hallam.

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