Douglas Sumler Posted Tuesday at 01:06 AM Report Posted Tuesday at 01:06 AM (edited) Hello, I am hoping to get some insight, historical context and feedback on an antique Japanese hilt that I have. The handle features detailed designs on the (kizami-tsuka) style outer wrap made of genuine stingray skin (samegawa), covered in black lacquer that has began to flake. It has an angular shoulder slant and a carved (mekugi-ana/peg-hole) framed by an intricate, geometric, circular flower patern (kamon) enclosed in a double ring of raised dots. DETAILS: Length/ 11 inches Width at Shoulder/ 1.75 inches Width at the End/ Just under 1.5 inches Weight/ 15.75 oz I have attached clear photos of the overall piece, close-ups of the carved crest, the flaking lacquer, and a direct shot looking down into the openings. I would appreciate any thoughts on the specific lineage or clan associated with this (kamon), its likely historical era, its overall value to a collector or restorer. Thank you very much for your time and expertise. Doug S. Edited Tuesday at 01:40 AM by Douglas Sumler Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted Tuesday at 02:01 AM Report Posted Tuesday at 02:01 AM Hi Douglas, difficult to say what this is but it doesn't have the quality you would expect from a Japanese made item. Quote
Brian Posted Tuesday at 06:17 AM Report Posted Tuesday at 06:17 AM Can we get a few overall shots of the entire item, not so close up please? 1 Quote
nihonto_1 Posted Tuesday at 10:01 PM Report Posted Tuesday at 10:01 PM Hi Doug. Just from the overall shape and general style of aesthetic, it seems more south East Asian, like thai or Cambodia. I am not familiar with their blades, but the general feel of the piece seems more inline with what I would see in art from those origins. Will Quote
robinalexander Posted Thursday at 09:56 PM Report Posted Thursday at 09:56 PM Full shot of the Tsuka from Doug. 1 1 Quote
Brian Posted Friday at 06:34 AM Report Posted Friday at 06:34 AM Definitely not Japanese. For some reason Ethiopian or Northern Africa comes to mind. 1 1 Quote
Spartancrest Posted Friday at 07:47 AM Report Posted Friday at 07:47 AM (edited) 1 hour ago, Brian said: Ethiopian or Northern Africa comes to mind. The design is very similar to these thin African figures - if you chop the heads off they look even more closely related - these figures are 35 cm high. [approx 14 inches] Edited Friday at 07:50 AM by Spartancrest typo 3 Quote
nihonto_1 Posted Friday at 04:22 PM Report Posted Friday at 04:22 PM @Spartancrest @Brian Oh yeah.......that is similar 2 Quote
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