When even deities can find themselves in need of some help

[Grevedk]

Dear NMB fellowship,

 

Once again I hope to draw knowledge from your experience and expertise. In my little quest to get wiser on the subject of Tsuba I have found my self buying different kinds of Tsuba (e.g regarding base materials, design and schools). This time I found a much used brass (Shinchu) Tsuba with the design of the Japanese deity “Daikokuten”, God of fortune and wealth (among a lot of other traits) and a child apparently playing with spinning tops. It shows clear signs of having been mounted (probably on a Wakizashi).

 

• Measurement’s: 7,2 x 7,0 x 0,5 cm 
• weight: 130 grams 
• Material: brass with inlay of other soft metals. Mimi is a ring of soft metal that has the feel and look of shakudo (but I am in doubt). There is no iron in or around the Tsuba.
• Design: Daikokuten with mallet and sack / child playing 
• Mumei
• School: my own guess would be Mito school? 🧐
• Period: probably late Edo period to early Meiji period

 

I would very much appreciate your thoughts on:

 

• School and if possible a suggestion on maker
• Design and carvings 
• Possibility of restoration of patina (looks like a previous owner may have tried to polish the surface with a rather “heavy hand”)

 

All the best

 

Soren 

 

Omora side

 

 

Ura side

[Spartancrest]

Sorry Soren, I can't help with the school or maker but I would like to show a guard related to the second image you posted.

[rematron]

I think another possibility is Hamano school. 

[Kurikata]

Just now, rematron said:

I think another possibility is Hamano school. 

+1

[Grevedk]

6 hours ago, Spartancrest said:

Sorry Soren, I can't help with the school or maker but I would like to show a guard related to the second image you posted.

Dale,

That is very clearly “Daikokuten” in all his might and opulence, holding mallet, sack of goods and sitting on the bales of plenty 😜👍 
 

Won’t ask you where you found that one or where the yellow’ish color comes from, but if you keep it long enough (say a few hundred years) it might end up in a museum with someone writing a book about it 😂

 

All the best

 

/Soren

[Grevedk]

Hi Jeremy and Bruno,

 

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

 

49 minutes ago, rematron said:

I think another possibility is Hamano school. 

 

48 minutes ago, Kurikata said:

+1

Is it the ura side (carving of the tree and branches) that makes you suggest Hamano?

 

All the best

/Soren

 

[rematron]

Both sides for me. The general carving style. The use of gold detail against black.  And the thinness and height of the raised rim. 

[Kurikata]

Like Jeremy! I wouldn´t have said it better!

[Grevedk]

Jeremy and Bruno,

 

Thank you - your input and perspective is much appreciated. For one - I hadn’t seen the raised mimi as an indicative sign of the Hamano school. So - again a little wise through the sheer accumulated knowledge of other’s 👍😎

 

All the best.

 

/Soren

[rematron]

You’re welcome Soren! I’m a novice so I’m shooting from the hip a little. It wasn’t one thing or the other but the combination of things together that made me think Hamano. Also I’m remembering something @Ford Hallamwrote about that school also incorporating mythological subjects in their works. 

[Kurikata]

11 hours ago, Spartancrest said:

Sorry Soren, I can't help with the school or maker but I would like to show a guard related to the second image you posted.

Good Find Dale. But I really prefer this one (MMA collection)!

[Spartancrest]

Bruno - Me too! That other one with 'crunched' up face is up for auction https://buyee.jp/mercari/item/m48842083660 not a great piece and they are asking a fortune [IMO]