Namban quiz

[Bugyotsuji]

There is something unusual about this Namban. Would anyone like to venture a guess?

(Hint. The answer is not obvious in this first photo.)

 

[kissakai]

Hi Piers

The image is not very clear

I assume it is iron

 

The design doesn't go over the seppa dai but there are examples of this feature

The kozuka ana appears to be lined which is more unusual and some were a later addition

 

Like a good mystery I expect to be surprised by the ending and feeling a little silly 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

The image is fuzzy yes, partly to keep folks guessing! Your answer is very welcome, Grev. 
Your assumption of iron is half correct. Agreed on the Kozuka lining being a later addition; it looks bright, with no patina.

Finally, I do think you will be surprised by the answer.

Oh, there are faint traces of some gold zogan on features here and there…

[Matsunoki]

I can only see the background material through the nakago and kozuka ana so I guess the sukashi design does not go all the way through. Is it flat on the other side?   Or some sort of backing?

[ROKUJURO]

There seems to be some kind of gold (?) decoration (?) on the other side.

[Bugyotsuji]

Dang, Colin and Jean, you must have x-ray eyes. Yes, you are asking the right questions, although the answer is a little different.

[Bugyotsuji]

OK guys, I was not expecting this! 
A further hint for all three of you!!! 

[Spartancrest]

Aha!  Bi-metal consruction

Edited yesterday at 10:05 AM by Spartancrest

[eternal_newbie]

Almost looks like two different tsuba designs sandwiched together, one half being the namban we can see and the other side being a solid design in some other metal/alloy (maybe even solid gold). Also, it's probably just the photography but some of the stuff inside the namban looks like moss instead of dust/corrosion...

[Bugyotsuji]

Too many incoming rounds! 
Duck!!!

Fantastic stuff guys, the NMB Detective Agency.

Here’s the answer… shinchū set somehow within the iron mimi.

7.75 x 7.0 x 0.55 cm

 

[Spartancrest]

    

[Bugyotsuji]

Wow, fine work, so there are others out there! Thanks Dale!

[ROKUJURO]

So a NI MAI construction with brass! This is not difficult to solder or to fuse (= MOKUMEGANE technique) together, but all in all, it must have been a heck of work to complete!

Very extravagant! Thank you Piers for showing!

[Curran]

Cool thread. 

I was thinking that you were hinting at the Egg shape of the tsuba, but it isn't that unusual given the maritime and foreign influences.

 

I didn't think to look through the sukashi. I thought it might have a goldish backing, but I would never have guessed the other side was was fused brass sukashi.

 

[thutson]

Very unusual and surprising, thanks for sharing Piers.