Stacked sekigane

[Deez77]

I wanted to share with the group this interesting (Echizen Kinai) piece in my collection (with a lovely nautical theme) which has multi-tiered sekigane instead of a single piece (perhaps more distinguishable on ura). I can't say that I've seen sekigane stacked like this before, but definitely looks like this wakizashi-sized tsuba could have been mounted on a tanto given the resulting size. 

 

 

Damon

Edited January 30 by Deez77
Added maker

[Lewis B]

Not dissimilar to the first tsuba I bought. Fortuitously fits my small Senjuin katana perfectly with zero movement.

 

[Deez77]

Interesting use of what looks like both lead and copper on yours. Thanks for sharing, Lewis.

[Tcat]

I have one with a triple stack also, I always tell myself it means its been much loved by previous owners.

[Deez77]

1 hour ago, Tcat said:

I have one with a triple stack also, I always tell myself it means its been much loved by previous owners.

You're probably right, Alex. I mean having it refitted for different blades would indicate it was loved and worn. 

[cluckdaddy76]

I have several examples of tsuba with stacked sekigane in my collection and I always consider this a good thing as these tsuba are of a good enough quality where they have been taken care of and fitted for a blade more than once. 

[Exclus1ve]

On 1/30/2026 at 5:46 PM, Tcat said:

I have one with a triple stack also, I always tell myself it means its been much loved by previous owners.

I agree)

[Spartancrest]

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/26913

All I could afford of Ishiguro Koreyoshi work was this tiny badge. [Ishiguro really liked his pheasants!] 

   One selling now in fact https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/g1194727171  or  https://www.jauce.com/auction/g1194727171

[Tcat]

Go on then…my much-loved tsuba - I think it one was originally something else entirely, with the tiniest bit of gold zogan from its former life still visible. I believe the fukurin, shakudo inserts (‘plugs’ as we referred to them on another thread) and kogai-ana are later modifications. A tsuba made out of another tsuba.

 

[Jake6500]

Not exactly multi-stacked but this tsuba of mine by Marukawa Hiroyoshi (Mito school) has sekigane resized so small that the centrepiece of a tsuba box will not fit...

I had to make my own (kinda dodgy) box for it out of a ring box...

 

I think it might have been re-used on a mamori-tanto gifted to a child. 

 

(Image below is in the original box, not my dodgy self-made one)

Edited February 15 by Jake6500