What is the school of this tsuba ? Shoami or not Shoami.

[Fred420]

Hi there.

I am Fred, I am new in this forum. Maybe i can find good informations with you guys.

I have this nice tsuba made of iron  with fine gold zogan. The rim is also inlay with gold.

Size 65mmx62mm

 

One of my friends told me that it is a shoami but I don't think so. If someone can help? Thanks

 

 

 

[Spartancrest]

Welcome to NMB Fred.

I vote for Kyo-Kenjo [presentation] or possibly Higo style?

Powerhouse museum - A5308-13  https://collection.powerhouse.com.au/object/182968

 

 A Kyo-kenjo from Gary Murtha's book  - notice the gold edging to the hitsu-ana and the seppa-dai

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 07:04 AM by Spartancrest
MORE LINKS

[Fred420]

Thanks for the ultra rapid answer 

Kyo-Kenjō looks close to my tsuba, i will search this way.

[Curran]

18 hours ago, Fred420 said:

Thanks for the ultra rapid answer 

Kyo-Kenjō looks close to my tsuba, i will search this way.

 

Kyo is short for Kyoto. 

Kenjo (in this context) is sort of a general term for certain type of tsuba.

Slightly more bling (with gold) for going into town type of dress up, but not a tsuba that cost an arm and leg to have.

 

The tsuba equivalent of wearing cuff-links. 

Usually associated with Kyoto.

 

 

[Hokke]

Here is a kyo-kenjo currently up for sale, very similar

 

[cdrcm12]

Hi Fred,

 

My tuppence worth it could be from the Awa Shoami artists, who can be categorised as Kenjo. May be where your friends reference to Shoami comes from.

 

If you have access to Marcus Seskus Tosogu Classroom volume 2, page 456, may give further insight.

 

Nice tsuba BTW.

[Fred420]

Thank you guys for all info.' Here some pictures of the tsuka from the same koshirae as the tsuba.

 

 

[Spartancrest]

Interesting: there are two types of dragon represented. The one on the fuchi is a conventionalized "Rain Dragon" they have a bifurcated or double tail and a lions mane.

[MauroP]

On 6/2/2026 at 8:32 AM, Fred420 said:

One of my friends told me that it is a shoami but I don't think so.

Honestly I'd also said Kyō-kenjō, but here below two similar daisho tsuba:

 

 

The first has an hakogaki by Satō Kanzan saying Shōami, the second a NBTHK paper with attribution den Awa-Shōami.
So, don't be rude with your friend, if you say Shōami you will never be alone.... 

[MauroP]

14 hours ago, cdrcm12 said:

My tuppence worth it could be from the Awa Shoami artists, who can be categorised as Kenjo. May be where your friends reference to Shoami comes from.

Thank you, Colin. I was completely unaware of the connection between the Awa-Shōami school and the kenjō tsubako.
Actually, the hakogaki by Satō Kanzan states in the third column:
阿波献上 正阿弥 ＊ Awa kenjō   Shōami

[cdrcm12]

Thanks Mauro.

 

One I have that I would class as Awa.