Approximent Age of Saotome Tsuba....

[Soshin]

I purchased this tsuba a few months ago and after examining it I came to the unlikely conclusion that it might be as old as the early Edo period based upon it thickness, size and presence of a single kozuka-hitsu ana. The kozuka-hitsu ana has a consistent small narrow shaped I have seen in early Edo Saotome school work before. Below are my measurements of the tsuba and some high resolution scans of both sides. The color in the scans are a little off and sabi of the tsuba appears much much darker while the tsuba is in hand under normal lighting conditions. I am still in the process of working on a write up about the tsuba for my own research and to catalog as part of my collection. I had a few different people mostly friends at my local token kai and martial arts dojo examine it. One person said that it looks like it was only fitted to a single sword because it lacked sekigane therefore it was likely a really good late Edo Saotome work. Still other friends told me to post it on the forum to see if anyone on the forum would know more information.

The classic Saotome kiku design is in low relief and well executed with a wonderfully shaped mimi. I enjoy just staring at it while handing the tsuba. I would like other knowledgeable and experienced people take a look at and tell me what you think. Thanks again for taking the time to read and download the scans of my tsuba. If anyone requires more information please let me know.

 

Measurements:

6.7 cm wide

7.9 cm high

0.4 cm thickness @ mimi

0.3 cm thickness @ seppa dai

 

Yours truly,

David S. (Soshin)

[raven2]

Hi,

 

I am not sure whether it is the photos but it appears to me that there is a lot of rust on the surface. I think that it is early edo but it looks like it needs some work to get it into shape.

[Soshin]

I justed wanted to reply to this post with some additional information and photographs of the tsuba that I did with my cellphone under indirect outdoor light from a window. As you can see the overall color of the patina (sabi) is dark. The rust that is present is also dark in color as well and not of the active type that comes off from a rub with a cotton rag and that is red in color. In terms of treatment I am really not sure if anything can or should be done as the oxidation that is on the tsuba is very dark in color, hard, and of the inactive (not growing) type. Thanks again for any help provided.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David S. (Soshin)

[Soshin]

I just wanted to posted a update on this topic I started about half a year ago. I have been doing some work on this Satome School tsuba and have improved the surface by removing active red rust. Here are some new scans of the same tsuba after my careful cleaning of the rust. From examining the scans it looks like I still have some more work to do. I will be bring the tsuba to the Tampa Sword Show as Jim Gilbert has offered to take a look at the tsuba. I am still thinking the tsuba is likely early Edo due to its thickness and shape of the kogai hitsu-ana. Comments and questions are always welcome.

 

 

 

Your truly,

David S.