Choshu Tomo (yoshi?) tsuba Edo or modern?

[cspage]

I would like opinions of whether or not this is a modern reproduction that’s been somewhat “aged,” or an authentic Edo period tsuba (late Edo?). It has the same design as a tsuba displayed on George’s Tsuba Pictures website (http://www.arco-iris.com/George/tsuba.htm#tsuba ), but appears not to be as delicate. The mei on mine appears to be Choshu Tomo (Yoshi?) Saku – I would also like opinion on the “Yoshi” interpretation. Are the chisel marks at the top and bottom of the nakago-ana a significant point in determining age/authenticity? Is the plant life in the motif rice, iris, plantain? The tsuba has a nice ring when struck. I have included 2 photos, one in natural light and one with flash to better display the mei. Any help would be welcome. I need good teaching. Thanks.

Width 67mm height 70mm thickness at mimi 4mm

[Brian]

Can't read the second kanji of the name, but the signature and workmanship look perfectly in line with Choshu work to me. It would be an expensive tsuba to fake and doesn't look cast. I don't see much reason to think it is anything else but an antique Choshu tsuba signed by a Tomo-X (Names starting with Tomo are a common Choshu name)

Maybe I am wrong, but looks like a nice tsuba to me.

 

Brian

[Nobody]

The mei reads Tomonori (友範).

[cspage]

Thank you. I suspected it was authentic, but my local resources are limited if not non-existent. This is a great site, packed with knowledge and valuable opinions. I appreciate your help. More to come.

[Brian]

Colin,

If I have the right guy, then he worked around mid 1800's in Hagi, Choshu province.

Don't have much more than that.

 

Brian

[Markus]

According to Fukushi Shigeo, he was the eighth generation of the Chôshû-Kawaji family.

He succeeded as head of the family in Tenmei 4 (1784), and retired in Kansei 9 (1797).

[Brian]

Thanks Markus,

I must have looked up the wrong Tomonori in Haynes.

 

Brian

[Markus]

Hi Brian,

 

I think you got the right one (H 10050.0), IMHO just some inconsistencies in the artistic period.

[Bob M.]

Hi,

 

In answer to your question regarding plant life , this looks like an orchid to me ( just don't ask which variety ).

 

Whilst not a rare theme for a tsuba , it is considerably less common than images of the Iris . Nicely done !

 

Regards

[John A Stuart]

An interesting thing about orchid. In Japanese 'Ran' 蘭, also meaning Holland. John