Help on Tsuba

[Henry Wilson]

I picked this tsuba up last month in Ginza and have finally got time to research it. It is 7cm diameter and 0.4 cm thick. The photos are from the shop and are a little hard. The colour is a lot more brown (less black).

 

http://www.finesword.co.jp/sale/kodougu/htm/445/445.htm

 

To me the theme looks like Matsushima at dawn with a single dew drop to the pine tree with mist rising from the sea.

 

Can any one help me out with period, school, tosho etc?

 

Thanks all in advance and Merry Christmas

[John A Stuart]

Hi Henry, It seems to match Akasaka work possibly Owari but I think Akasaka. The theme to me notwithstanding the Matsushima pinetree locale, is dawn, mist coming off the water (sea, lake?) with the moon in the sky. A time of introspection before the days labours begin. John

[Henry Wilson]

I have got back from the NTHK (NPO) monthly meeting and had the tsuba in question looked at.

 

From the good quality patina, the hammer work, round mimi, the slight convex shape, it is most likely an unsigned Akasaka piece from the early Edo period and probably made by the 1st, 2nd or 3rd generation making it Ko Akasaka.

 

The theme is that of Matsushima at dawn which is sometimes assoicated with New Year and happy times. That is what they say but if anyone disagrees don't be shy as I don't know myself and am very much a beginner with tsuba

 

Also thanks John Stuart for your input on the matter.

 

Happy Holidays to everyone.