Looking for info on this type of koshirae

[ribendao]

Bought this cheapo wakizashi online because I thought it looked interesting. I have seen this type of "broken pottery" design on a yari pole before but have no idea what it is called or how to research it further. 

The fuchi and throat of the saya are simple brass. Which seems impracticle because it dulls the blade when it is pulled out. The tsuba seems like it was cast and is also brass. It does have a nice two-piece habaki. I also found a piece of rolled up paper underneath the ito wrap. There are still more pieces I have not taken out. Can I assume it was just used as a spacer when it was being wrapped?

 

Would like to get more info about it if anyone knows.

 

Thank you

[Brian]

It's mother of pearl/abalone shell.

[ribendao]

Thanks Brian. Looks like you are right. It is really nice looking. Its a shame the brass doesn't look great. Kind of detracts from the ablone shell lacquered saya. 

Seems like this style is somewhat rare. Not really finding any similar looking examples online. 

[ROKUJURO]

RADEN in Japanese. Looks like a MEIJI tourist KOSHIRAE. It is ABALONE (Haliotis or PAUA snail).

[ribendao]

Thanks Jean Raden is the word I was looking for. Found many more examples now. 
I had a feeling this was a tourist/export piece. It came with a mumei wakizashi that looks shinshinto. Looks half decent if it wasn't for the rust...

[ROKUJURO]

Jonathan,

you may find even more information if you look for AOGAI mother of pearl. While RADEN seems to be the general term, AOGAI means the blue-green type of the Newzeeland Haliotis iris (PAUA). 

[ribendao]

Thanks Jean

 

Can anyone confirm what the rolled up paper is for? Am I right in my assumption that it is just scrap paper used to fill out the empty spaces under the ito wrap?

[ROKUJURO]

Correct.

[Geraint]

Dear Jonathan.

 

I would be very interested to see some more photographs of the tsuba and the habaki if you have them.

 

All the best.

[ribendao]

Hi Geraint,

 

I will see if I can get some more photos soon. The tsuba feels like cheap cast brass. The habaki seems nice though. Two piece with what looks to be a "moon and clouds" motif.

[ribendao]

On 5/10/2022 at 4:47 AM, Geraint said:

Dear Jonathan.

 

I would be very interested to see some more photographs of the tsuba and the habaki if you have them.

 

All the best.

As requested:

 

 

[Geraint]

Hi Jonathan.

 

Thank you for the images, it's a nice habaki.  Don't be too quick to dismiss the tsuba, it might, as you suggest, just be a cheap casting, it's hard to tell underneath all the crud.  However it is in the Namban style and might be more interesting. Soft metal Namban are rare.  Perhaps some hot soapy water and a soft brush might help to reveal detail.

 

If you don't already know it see ere for some more information, https://www.shibuiswords.com/Asian Sword Guards.html

 

Whatever it turns out to be enjoy your sword.

 

All the best.

[ribendao]

It does look like the last one pictured. I’ll try your method but I don’t know what I would be looking for. In the meantime. Please enjoy pictures of the menuki I forgot to include.

[ribendao]

Post soap and hot water:

 

Cheap cast or nanban worthy of further study?

 

[Spartancrest]

10 hours ago, ribendao said:

Post soap and hot water:

 

Cheap cast or nanban worthy of further study?

 

Considering a lot of 'good' nanban was cast and then worked on - I think yours is worthy of further study. There is no tagane-ato marks, how tight does the tsuba fit the nakago? Some edge shots, side on would help or side views of nakago-ana and hitsu to see any casting seams but on soft 'brass' these are easily filed smooth so these may not be evident. [Soap and water have improved the look a lot ]

[ribendao]

Hi,

the tsuba does not seem to fit the nakago well. The blade is too small. I am including some edge shots I took. Unfortunately some of the green patina returned after it dried.

 

 

[ROKUJURO]

As expected, it is a cast brass TSUBA, and it is well made. The SEPPA-DAI appears to have a silver 'wash', so I think it is not a cheap copy. 

If it were mine, I would abstain from further restoration or cleaning attempts.

[ribendao]

Very cool! Just goes to show never dismiss an item too quickly.

I found the below eBay listing that has a tsuba that looks to be If the same style.

 

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325190176831?hash=item4bb6d8503f:g:oa8AAOSw3yNigKKo

 

 

 

[Geraint]

And by comparing yours to the Ebay example you can see that yours is much better, as Jean suggests.  Go slow and keep looking.

 

All the best.