I'm hoping for some information about this tsuba

[cutter4320]

I received this mounted to a cheap sword and it has sparked an interest in tsubas.  I'd very much appreciate any information about it that can be gleaned from the attached photos. 

[paul V]

Look for "Echizen ju Kinai" tsuba.

 

 

Paul

[ROKUJURO]

Yes, I think I can read the same, but I am not sure it is a traditionally handmade TSUBA.

[cutter4320]

15 minutes ago, paul V said:

Look for "Echizen ju Kinai" tsuba.

 

 

Paul

Thank you! 

[cutter4320]

8 minutes ago, ROKUJURO said:

Yes, I think I can read the same, but I am not sure it is a traditionally handmade TSUBA.

Do you think it's a reproduction? 

[ROKUJURO]

On the photos, I think I can see hints for it being cast in the first place and then reworked and finished with small brass inlay. But to be sure, one has to see the TSUBA in-hand. 

[cutter4320]

I thought the same, but I can't see any lines where the 2 halves of the mold would have come together.  Not even in the small holes that would require an extremely small file.  That, of course, doesn't mean it wasn't filed. Just that it was cleaned up well. 

[Spartancrest]

Welcome to NMB Zack! 

  A relatively common Kinai school tsuba.

Some are cast but as yours has tagane-ato [punch marks aroumd the tang hole] I would think it is carved. 

If you look on-line and find another with the same punch marks in the identical spots - then you can worry. These dragons appear as Kawari-gata [irregular outline] or within a maru [round ] rim. 

 

Check this thread: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/46711-a-tsuba-with-ryu-design-kinai-school-signed-edo-period-for-your-comment-and-appreciation/

Also check the free download on Kinai tsuba: 

 

Edited December 28, 2025 by Spartancrest

[cutter4320]

Thank you very much! I'll be doing a ton of research and I fear that I may have found another expensive hobby. 

[Deez77]

Hello Zack...and welcome. Yes,tsuba collecting, as opposed to sword collecting, is quite easy to get into IMO. They are small and easy to care for, easy to pack away...not dangerous. 

 

As far as Kinai pieces go, I would definitely recommend doing that research you mentioned as you quite often do find cast or even fake signature pieces floating around. There are also pieces made during periods of exctremely high production, and as a result, many of those pieces are of a lower quality. There are also extremely fine pieces and quite a variety of different motifs...though dragons and plants are probably the most common.

 

You will find that in even authenticated Kinai signature pieces (accompanied by authentication papers), there are quite a few different signature styles used over the nearly 300 years the school produced tsuba...so this is an area to do some of that research. Markus Sesko's translation of one of the few Japanese printed books on this school is an invaluable resource. I would suggest reaching out to him to see if any copies exist.

 

 

One final word (of warning?), there are a number of members who collect Kinai, myself included, so you may likely have competition for any nice pieces that come up. But...that's all part of the fun.

 

Good luck to you. 

 

Damon

Edited December 29, 2025 by Deez77
Fixed typo

[cutter4320]

Thank you for the advice! I've definitely caught the bug and am diving in head first. 

 

I'd say my dad did pretty good by paying $75 for  the 3 cheap Chinese swords that this tsuba came off of.

[ROKUJURO]

On 12/29/2025 at 4:05 AM, cutter4320 said:

.....I'd say my dad did pretty good by paying $75 for  the 3 cheap Chinese swords that this tsuba came off of.

Buying (modern) Chinese stuff is always a loss (except for the Chinese....), but in your case the loss is small.