Assistance with tsuba mei

[Tori B]

I have received two tsubas originally owned by my grandfather, one of which has a mei. Any translation assistance or any other information you could give about the tsuba pictured would be wonderful. My grandfather was a world traveler and a bit of a mystery and I would appreciate any knowledge that allows me to know him a bit better. I love both tsubas and find them so extraordinarily beautiful -- the craftsmanship and artistry make me want to weep. A huge thank you for your time and expertise.

 

I will also include an image my daughter created of the characters, in case that helps.

 

[Ian B3HR2UH]

Your tsuba is signed Shozui . Shozui 1696 - 1769 is a very famous and much faked maker who founded the Hamano school . Your tsuba looks to be a quality piece but not in Shozui's style.

Ian Brooks

[Tori B]

Thank you Ian. You're right, in person it is of good quality. But it doesn't surprise me at all that this probably is a faked piece. My grandfather was known to occasionally stretch the truth about things he had done in his life and owning this would fit right in to that.

 

[ROKUJURO]

Tori,

that is a very nice TSUBA, and even if not authentic by SHOZUI, it still is a valuable item on the market. Authenticated examples are very expensive!

It is absolutely not sure that your grandfather knew about it being possibly not genuine!

Would you mind showing us both TSUBA? (no plural "s" added!)

[Tori B]

Here is the other tsuba (and thanks for the correction about pluralization).

 

[Brian]

Bear in mind that false signatures have been done for centuries, and a false signature is not only common, but doesn't make the tsuba fake. It's a very nice tsuba showing some different techniques, and would be a decent addition to a collection. Your grandfather had good taste, and tsuba collectors know that without papers, any tsuba has a chance of having a spurious mei, but that each is judged on its own merits. You have a nice genuine tsuba with an unproven signature. Enjoy it.

[Tori B]

Thanks Brian. Yes, I definitely enjoy these pieces! I'm deeply impressed by the workmanship that went into them, particularly the one with the theater mask. That hair! Those cranes! Even the tiny flowers(?) on the edge of the nakago-ana are an 'unnecessary' detail that only emphasize the artistry of the maker. And I've learned a ton just by asking for assistance here. I'm looking forward to continuing learning.