Kin Posted May 10 Report Posted May 10 Hi all, New to this forum, but it looks to be the right place for expertise for my question, (not sure what section this will be placed in, I clicked on the "new topic button"), I was in Ueno and came across a antique market where I found this tsuba. I bought it because it is a beautiful decorative piece. Can somebody tell me whether this is a replica? It's not magnetic, I don't think I see cast lines, the crests seem to be placed on it and there is a signature, that seems handmade, though it probably can still be forged (which wouldn't bother me, still a nice pice and a nice story). Not an expert at all, so I wanted to see whether somebody can help me with the authentication of this item? Thanks in advance! Quote
Kin Posted May 10 Author Report Posted May 10 I've added some more details that could help I guess; weight 155g, thickness 4,75mm, height 73,20mm and width 66,25mm. The crests on top and bottom side of the tsuba are also slightly misaligned when you look from the side. Hope this is helpful. 1 1 Quote
ROKUJURO Posted May 10 Report Posted May 10 Kin, this would have been a topic for the TOSOGU section. In my opinion. it is a tourist souvenir. I hope you did not pay much. 2 Quote
Spartancrest Posted May 11 Report Posted May 11 Hi Kin, welcome to NMB. Sorry to say I find a couple of "ODD" features with this tsuba. There is an impossible sword strike mark on the omote side above the hitsu and across the seppa-dai - - impossible because such a strike would need to cut longitudinally through the blade, unless the tsuba was struck whilst dismounted [In which case why would there be a defensive strike?] Also the hitsu is well outside the seppa-dai and would not serve the purpose of slotting a kozuka or kogai into the saya - unless the saya was massively thick. Combine this with the tagane-ato on both sides of the tsuba being identically placed, as a rule punch marks tend to be on one face with occasionally extra when one side is beaten too thin. The odd divots on the seppa-dai where the signature is engraved don't add up either. The indented pattern over the surface is a fast and sloppy way of trying to look like nanako. So for me it is a tourist piece as Jean has said or maybe a paperweight. I will keep searching and see if I can find others like it. 1 Quote
Kin Posted May 11 Author Report Posted May 11 (edited) Hey Guys, Thanks for the expertise, was not too expensive and still looks nice. So will find it a nice place as decoration here. Regards, Kin Edited May 11 by Kin 3 Quote
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