When the feeling is just right

[Grevedk]

Dear NMB friends,

 

You probably know the feeling when you make a bid on an auction, win the item and then think, hey - did I just miss something. Something that other bidders (more knowledgeable than you) saw and just decided not to continue to bid on. And the inner voice saying “How come I won that item at so low a cost - what did I miss?”

 

And then you receive the item, and the feeling of it is just right.

 

The Tsuba below has that feeling. It came without any real background or solid information. My own guess:

 

School:    Echizen Kinai

Material: Tetsu-ji (iron surface)

Form:       Mary-gata

Design:    Sukashi with Omodaka plant (Sagitta Trifolia) and grasses 

Size:         8,1x8,1x0,45 cm

Mei:          Mumei

weight:     88 g

Price:        <100€ (incl. fees and shipment)

 

My question - Am I wrong, and did I miss anything? 🤓 I will appreciate any of your comments.

 

All the best

 

Soren

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Brian]

Nope. You got a nicely made and good condition tsuba at a great price. Sometimes the stars align
Congrats!

[ROKUJURO]

Sören,

looks like a very good (although probably not so old) TSUBA. 

[Grevedk]

@Brian Thank you for your quick response and feedback. Appreciated.

 

@ROKUJURO Jean - with your experience, what would your opinion on school and age be? Are we talking Edo period (early, mid or late) or maybe even Meiji period?  I find the Sukashi intricate on this one and with signs that might indicate both iron bending and welding. I might be wrong on the welding but could that as a technique be a tell on age?
 

All the best

 

Soren

[kissakai]

A very good buy and you are correct with the details

I really liked the sharp carving of the plant leaves

 

[ROKUJURO]

Sören,

To be sure you would need to inspect this TSUBA in hand. Seen only on photos, it looks like a late EDO manufacture with no special school attributes. In that era, typical features were mixed up as there was more exchange among artisans.

There was no bending or welding involved in the production as far as I can see. The TSUBA seems to have been used on a sword, but I would not completely exclude the possibility that it could be a well made MEIJI copy. 

[Spartancrest]

19 hours ago, Grevedk said:

“How come I won that item at so low a cost - what did I miss?”

Nice buy - one little thing, Maru-gata rather than "Mary-gata" - the Y is very close to the U on the keyboard.  

I do know exactly what you mean - where are the other bidders? It does make you wonder at times! I picked up this - admittedly rusty and scratched guard - for roughly ten dollars  https://www.jauce.com/auction/1101802673

but even so why no other bidders, after all it can be cleaned? Lazy buyers or were they all asleep?

 

 

I think your Kinai attribution is correct but there is a similar one here described as Bushu  https://drouot.com/e...o-tsuba-xixth-centur

The one on the left in the image. It is unsigned so I don't know how they made that judgement.

A few to have a look at:

Echizen http://nihontocraft.com/Echizen_Tsuba.htm

A Shoami  http://nihonto.us/OMODAKA DM 052.htm

Another Bushu https://www.seiyudo.com/tu-120511.htm

Unspecified  https://tokka.biz/fittings/TS369.html

Unspecified  http://www.katana-ha...m/tsuba/omodaka.html

http://ancientpoint....d_elegant_tsuba.html

[Grevedk]

This is again what makes this forum so useful and in so many ways unique. It is really a fast track in getting different perspectives on a subject matter, and learning something new. Attribution to several schools (Kinai, Shoami and Bushu) underscore the points made by Jean @ROKUJURO, and you Dale @Spartancrest. If a design had appeal why not make copies. Thank you all 😊 for taking time to look and respond.

 

PS “Mary-gata” was a “fault 40” and not a hint to our Danish / Tasmanian princess 😜

 

All the best

 

Soren

[Deez77]

Hi Soren,

 

Another similar piece currently available (no attribution made):

https://page.auction.../auction/b1071963644

 

Regards

 

Damon

[SteveM]

Another one, papered to Bushū

 

 

 

https://page.auction.../auction/b1098477603

[Deez77]

Here's an example signed Echizen ju Kinai saku.

 

https://tsuba.jyuluc...EchizenProvince.html

 

Regards,

 

Damon

[Grevedk]

Good evening @Deez77 and @SteveM,

 

Thank you for your responses and time used. Truly appreciated.

 

It is quite incredible how many slightly different tsuba that have been made over the same design. Every tsuba found by either you or @Spartancrest so far could easily have been made by the same artist or school except for either Mei or attribution. The workmanship however on all pieces must truly have required both time and skill. Quite happy with this acquisition 😊

 

All the best

 

/Soren