Akasaka tsuba layers question

[John C]

Hello:

I've been researching this akasaka tsuba, reading the multitude of posts. It seems to check all of the kantei boxes with one exception - layers. Shape of seppa-dai is good, thickness is good (if later), subject matter is good (Musahino), kogai ana is smaller than kozuka ana, carvings show kittate, etc. I don't, however, see any distinct layers. But it doesn't show signs of being cast either. 

Does an akasaka tsuba necessarily have to show fold layers? Is this an absolute kantei point?

Thickness at seppa-dai 5.5mm; 4mm at the mimi I believe puts it later.

Thank you for taking a look,

John C.

 

 

[MauroP]

John, maybe I'm not grasping the question... if it has horns, moos and looks like a cow, well, most probably is a cow...
Your tsuba has an Akasaka look and is signed Bushūj jū Akasaka, so what else? About layers I'm quite convinced I can even see them (but don't take it too seriously).

 

[John C]

21 minutes ago, MauroP said:

John, maybe I'm not grasping the question.

Thanks, Mauro. Being new to the world of tsuba and having read the various posts and kantei points about forging layers, I figured it was a failrly important point. And compared to the photos on some of the posts, I could not see anything like that on this tsuba. So I wasn't sure if the lack of visible layers was big deal or not.

John C.

[Kunehito]

I can agree to Mauro, it looks legit to me. There are layers visible. Sometimes they stick out more, sometimes less.

 

Owari design and workmanship of Akasaka.

[John C]

Thank you, Tobias. I appreciate you all taking the time to look at it.

 

John C.

[FlorianB]

Agreed with the previous opinions.

 

There are many Akasaka-Tsuba without distinctive traces of layers. At least it means they are well forged.

 

Visible or even open layers are often result of corrosion because the inner core is made of low quality iron.

 

I would advise You to get a look on other Akasaka pieces to gain more experience how to recognize layers even if they are not clearly visible.

Edited May 1 by FlorianB

[ROKUJURO]

Hi John,

as Florian states above, not having distinctive layers can be seen as positive, documenting a completely fire-welded TSUBA blank. 
Seeing three layers in the NAKAGO-ANA is probably more of a "relaxed" way of fire-welding, as in the context of protective qualities, it would not make much of a difference, so it is accepted as "typical" for many AKASAKA TSUBA.

[John C]

Thank you, Florian and Jean for the explanation. Much appreciated.

 

John C.

[Steve Waszak]

Agree with all:  no worries here, John.  There will (almost  ) always be exceptions to the rule.  Nice tsuba.  

[lonely panet]

really nice forging , tight and clean so to the untrained eye it looks unfolded. 

the tagane are solid pointers.

the style to me appears to be 7-9th gen but sadly i would say over oiled or over cleaned

[John C]

2 hours ago, lonely panet said:

the style to me appears to be 7-9th gen but sadly i would say over oiled or over cleaned

Thank you, Hamish. Actually, I think it may be some type of lacquer or poly. It doesn't come off with isopropyl alcohol so bone tools are next.

 

John C.