Split or cracked mimi ?

[Dan tsuba]

Hello all!

 

So, my latest tsuba (bought for $50.00 U.S. dollars with a wood box- hurrah!) is interesting (written description of tsuba shown below).

 

The mimi is bent and split in one area (pictures also shown below).  It looks to me like it could have been struck hard (maybe with a sword?).

 

Any opinions and thoughts on the split (or cracked) mimi??

 

With respect,

Dan

[Spartancrest]

I believe the rim was "lap welded" as in this example found here https://tsubakansho.com/tag/mimi/  It may have separated due to moisture over time or some impact.

  The image has been enhanced from the rather dark one in the link.

[ROKUJURO]

Dale,

you would only see this on DOTE MIMI which are forged separately from the TSUBA plate. 

[Spartancrest]

Jean, a possible inclusion then? The 45 degree overlap may just be coincidence, a later repair?

[ROKUJURO]

Yes, in most cases you will find an irregularity in the material which is/was the reason for failure. In designs like this where the MIMI is almost separate from the TSUBA plate, a certain tension may occur. An impact from a blow can cause the weakest spot to crack. See another sample:

[Spartancrest]

A Hagiri is a crack or break in the Ji. So would a crack in the rim be called the same?

http://www.jssus.org/nkp/hagiri.html

[Brian]

No, because a tsuba doesn't have a ha
Maybe mimigiri?

[ROKUJURO]

Yes, you might call it HAGIRE or - as Brian proposes - MIMIGIRE. But HAGIRE occur in the quenching of a steel blade, while in TSUBA we have no quenching. So we have to think of other causes for cracks. Some TSUBA designs may be more vulnerable than others.

[Spartancrest]

   One of mine, a casting - this design also has examples with cracked and missing antennae on the butterflies.

These might have cooled off too fast.

[ROKUJURO]

55 minutes ago, Spartancrest said:

 ....These might have cooled off too fast.

Dale,

I don't think so, as they are left in the mold until they can be handled. It is more the brittleness of the material itself, and again we have here another TSUBA with an almost "free" rim. That might make it more vulnerable as well because tensions in the material can be stronger than the narrow MIMI. 

Is that a CHINESE or NANBAN related TSUBA?

[OceanoNox]

3 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

That might make it more vulnerable as well because tensions in the material can be stronger than the narrow MIMI. 

This is why there are several old documents state specifically that large sukashi are to be avoided, or that sukashi tsuba should be thick.

[Spartancrest]

19 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

Is that a CHINESE or NANBAN related TSUBA?

Three slightly different cast nanban in this pattern - Beaded edge like mine [most common], different pattern on the seppa-dai [second top left] and plain round mimi [third, forth and fifth top row left and one, third from the left bottom row]

Dozens more getting about, they turn up every second week - some with more damage than others.

There is also a modern company still making the same design for practice swords [third from the right bottom row]  https://www.barringt...butterfly-tsuba.html  [my image is far clearer and enhanced]

  Some crazy prices being asked - I think mine was all of  ¥750 

 

https://www.worthpoi...rfly-wakizashi-tsuba

 

https://www.jauce.com/auction/q1114141529    https://www.jauce.com/auction/o1110424520  two smooth rim versions