Info please

[Nihonto student]

Dear all,

 

I kindly ask for your help since my interest is mainly in blades and I don't know much about tsuba, something I absolutely need to fix...

This piece caught my attention especially for the unusual size that leads me to think that it was made for artistic purposes only, I would like to know your opinions on it including the translation of the mei and an idea of value provided that it is authentic... as I said I am out of my comfort zone.

 

Thank you in advance for your comments.

 

Giordy

[suketaka]

Hello Giordy,

 

for me a modern fake.

 

Lets see what the others say about...

 

 

 

Michael

[Nihonto student]

5 minutes ago, suketaka said:

Hello Giordy,

 

for me a modern fake.

 

Lets see what the others say about...

 

 

 

Michael

Thanks Michael,

I need to start checking the Tosogu section more often and train my eyes...

[Kantaro]

Indeed cast Fake.

[Nihonto student]

1 minute ago, Kantaro said:

Indeed cast Fake.

Thank you Kantaro, 

 

can I ask you if there are any unique distinctive elements to immediately understand if it is a replica? Or is it just a matter of experience?

[Spartancrest]

Mass produced "reproduction" ie. cast fake. The biggest give away is the nakago-ana  [tang hole] but in reality for most of us with years of seeing these, it is just how commonly they turn up. They can come either with applied colour or just a darkened metal and there are others in the "set" - same sort of nakago-ana.

You can buy the "set" https://www.supeinnihonto.com/product/aorigata-daisho-set-tsuba/  but please don't!   Not at this price 950 €  Over a thousand dollars US.    It Comes with certificate of SupeinNihonto.   !  Well the certificate is not worth the ink it was printed with and the description of "gold inlays" is also a joke - if any gold was used it is overlay!!!

 

There is even a more modern copy of a copy - the nakago-ana is better but still it is a copy of the same design.  https://teraasekeskus.com/tuote/ryumon-raijin-tsuba/?lang=en 

   https://teraasekeskus.com/tuote/ryumon-raijin-tsuba/?lang=en 

 

 

     https://www.ebay.com/itm/315774157914

 

 

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/356441228047       

 

These are paperweights at best

[Nihonto student]

7 minutes ago, Spartancrest said:

Mass produced "reproduction" ie. cast fake. The biggest give away is the nakago-ana  [tang hole] but in reality for most of us with years of seeing these, it is just how commonly they turn up. They can come either with applied colour or just a darkened metal and there are others in the "set" - same sort of nakago-ana.

You can buy the "set" https://www.supeinnihonto.com/product/aorigata-daisho-set-tsuba/  but please don't!   Not at this price 950 €  Over a thousand dollars US.    It Comes with certificate of SupeinNihonto.   !  Well the certificate is not worth the ink it was printed with and the description of "gold inlays" is also a joke - if any gold was used it is overlay!!!

 

There is even a more modern copy of a copy - the nakago-ana is better but still it is a copy of the same design.  https://teraasekeskus.com/tuote/ryumon-raijin-tsuba/?lang=en 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many thanks for your explanation Dale, no intention of shopping at the moment (Much less buying reproductions) just wanting to broaden my knowledge in the field.

 

All the best,

 

Giordy

[Spartancrest]

Giordy a set here made into candle holders.  https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1800s-export-tsuba-ishiguro-masaaki-415584528  

 

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/exceptional-Japanese-bronze-tsuba-3885860381    The cast in signature is Masaaki Ishiguro but that means nothing in this case.

Have fun.

Kind regards  

[Geraint]

Dear Giordy.

 

In terms of 'getting your eye in' you could do a lot worse than spend an evening, or two, or three working your way through this thread.

 

Some wonderful things and a curated selection of fittings which will be thoroughly enjoyable to look through.

 

All the best.

[FlorianB]

17 hours ago, Spartancrest said:

You can buy the "set" https://www.supeinnihonto.com/product/aorigata-daisho-set-tsuba/

Miraculously it has been sold in the last hours - what a pity!

[Spartancrest]

   This one has even been mounted by the look of the nakago-ana and the opening price is "more realistic" even for a paperweight.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/306292562072    it is pretty crude. 

[Jake6500]

Hi Giordy, 

 

There are a couple giveaways about this tsuba. Firstly as others have pointed out this is a commonly replicated design. Secondly, the nakago ana in the middle has been cut with an unusually square-ish shape. Finally, the space where the seppa would normally go seems unevenly shaped and does not appear to form a proper oval.

 

These are the key points that stick out to me just at a glance.

[Nihonto student]

On 5/10/2025 at 9:13 AM, FlorianB said:

Miraculously it has been sold in the last hours - what a pity!

 

Not by me , Thanks everyone for your suggestion!