Bugyotsuji Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 There is something unusual about this Namban. Would anyone like to venture a guess? (Hint. The answer is not obvious in this first photo.) 1 Quote
kissakai Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 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 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted February 18 Author Report Posted February 18 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… 1 Quote
Matsunoki Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 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? 1 Quote
ROKUJURO Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 There seems to be some kind of gold (?) decoration (?) on the other side. 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted February 18 Author Report Posted February 18 Dang, Colin and Jean, you must have x-ray eyes. Yes, you are asking the right questions, although the answer is a little different. Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted February 18 Author Report Posted February 18 OK guys, I was not expecting this! A further hint for all three of you!!! 3 Quote
Spartancrest Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 (edited) Aha! Bi-metal consruction Edited February 18 by Spartancrest 1 Quote
eternal_newbie Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 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... 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted February 18 Author Report Posted February 18 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 9 3 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted February 18 Author Report Posted February 18 Wow, fine work, so there are others out there! Thanks Dale! 1 Quote
ROKUJURO Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 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! 2 Quote
Curran Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 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. 2 Quote
thutson Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 Very unusual and surprising, thanks for sharing Piers. 2 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted February 20 Author Report Posted February 20 Showed this to a Kinkō artisan today. He thinks the shinchū insert is later Edo work as the carving style is quite different, and that the iron mimi fukurin rim was heated (熱処理, netsu shori)and slipped over to hold the two facet sections together. 4 Quote
Bazza Posted February 20 Report Posted February 20 Like an iron tyre/tire on a wooden cart wheel... BaZZa. 4 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.