Wax on a tsuba

[cspage]

I had previously submitted this tsuba (April 9th) for opinions and there were some that diagnosed it as a cast tsuba. One of the reasons given was the “webbing” in the sukashi about the leaves and mimi. After that I got more curious about it all and started poking at the “webbing” only to find it was actually wax. And then I got the ol’ loupe out and lo and behold, the tsuba was awash in wax, mostly covering the inside faces of the sukashi, nakago-ana, etc. and filling nooks and crannies of the carving. I gave the tsuba a good scrubbing in hot water with toothbrush and mild, very mild scraping of the wax off the surfaces. Where the inside surfaces had been previously fairly evenly dark and smooth, rust was underneath. What is also revealed on the inside surfaces is what I would guess to be layering in the iron, or are those chisel/filing marks? I’ve included photos here, plus a couple of the mimi (also submitted at the end of the first discussion of this tsuba)where layering may be apparent. Or am I just wishfully thinking so? The surface does look pretty worn, but could that just be a hard life, like that other tsuba I submitted seems to have had? I would welcome any insights.

John Stuart had thought it might be legit.

“Kinai tsuba had a few smiths that signed similarily and it is hard to know which generation this could be. The first generation was early Edojidai and the age can indicate who it might be. If legitimate your tsuba looks older. These can be made look older by forcing corrosion, but, I have a kinai that looks similar agewise, 2nd gen. John”

 

Any list of that describe the making of tsubas would be welcome, also.

 

Thanks, once again, for any remarks.

Colin

[Mantis dude]

Hi,

 

I missed your original post and while I can understand your curiosity and it is always interesting to find something on your tsuba using a loupe (amazes me when you can see closely), I would still say this tsuba looks cast to my eye. the cutting of the leaves etc is just not crisp like you would expect with a chisel. it looks rounded as what would happen in a casting. Even on the seppa dai the uneveness of the metal could be indicative of air bubbles. Just because the tsuba was cast doesn't mean that carving would not be done. In fact, I learned by examining 2 exact tsuba that I have which were determined to be cast that there is a need to "clean up" edges. It was pointed out to me how on one tsuba an area was filed/ cleaned up while on the other it wasn't- they missed a spot. That lack of crispness in the detail still makes me question the piece as being cast. Just my uneducated opinion.

[Ford Hallam]

Hi Colin,

 

I too missed your original post and subsequent discussion on this tsuba.

 

I've hesitated to throw my hat into the ring as I don't agree with the consensus that it's a cast tsuba. While it's true we're seeing more and more fake guards and the techniques used to produce steel copies is keeping us all on our toes in this case I can see no convincing evidence that would condemn this piece. I think John Stuart was also not entirely convinced this is a cast piece.

 

Without having the piece in hand all I can offer is my gut instinct based on what I can read from the images. I see no tell tale flaws that we would associate with a cast piece, I get no sense of shrinkage that inevitably occurs when the wax model is taken from the mould of the original. The surface seems quite dense and well worked, albeit having suffered some corrosion. The seki-gane are perfectly "true" to my eyes and their colour is absolutely correct...this is not so easy to fake on a steel guard.

 

I noticed the linear markings in the sukashi which you point out. At first glance they do look very much like grain boundaries in layered steel. It's possible the marks are caused by some other process but on balance I'd accept it at face value.

 

So, in the absence of any overwhelming evidence I have to declare your much maligned tsuba innocent

 

regards,

 

Ford

[cspage]

Thank you Ken and Ford. Both opinions are valuable to me, a rank beginner in all this. While knowing whether this particular tsuba is cast or not is somewhat important to me as I have a fond feeling for it (it is the very first one I bought) the various opinions and reasons thereof are equally important. Since I know next to nothing of the tsuba-making process, any explanation is helpful.

And, since I am not a stranger to the visual arts and crafts (educated and trained in drawing/painting/design/ceramics), for what it’s worth, the design of this tsuba is pleasing and in my humble opinion is a bit sophisticated for what I would expect of a knock-off. The heft of the piece is consistent with other tsuba I’ve known, and the execution of the design, while showing signs of wear, is not crude. Obviously I have to step back from the technical analysis of technique, processes and material, leaving that to you experts, but my aesthetic sense gives me good vibes from this piece.

 

Thanks, again.

Colin

[Brian]

Just a reminder that cast tsuba doesn't necessarily indicate a repro or modern tsuba.

During the Edo period, especially late, they did do genuine low quality cast tsuba that are perfectly legitimate antiques.

 

Not refering to this one...but just something to keep in mind when thinking of cast tsuba.

 

Brian

[Ford Hallam]

During the Edo period, especially late, they did do genuine low quality cast tsuba that are perfectly legitimate antiques.

 

Hi Brian,

 

I didn't want to start a whole debate about this statement on the forum right now but where do you get this information....and can it be validated. The reason I ask is that casting steel...is not something the Japanese did until the early 20th cent.....cast iron yes...but steel...and as complex as a pierced tsuba I sincerely doubt that. Can you think of any other domestic products from the Edo period that were cast steel....a very advanced process, and that apparently was only used to make cheap copies?....doesn't makes sense

 

regards,

 

Ford

[Brian]

Ford,

Point taken. I was refering to cast iron though, not steel. And not necessarily sukashi tsuba, but a general comment on cast tsuba. Just pointing out for the newcomers that when they see "cast tsuba" mentioned anywhere, they shouldn't automatically assume repro or made yesterday. I see that happening a few times here when someone mentions cast and the owner assumes a copy.

Any further info on this topic would be welcome though.

 

Brian

[Martin]

Hi Colin,

 

came along a quite similar Tsuba to yours and thought I´d post it.

It is described as Echizen.

 

http://page8.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h130128084