Tsuba ID

[Robertex]

The attached pic is my only "stand alone" tsuba. I'd like to display it, but don't know where to start with regard to research. Thought you gents would get me pointed in the right direction. Also, please advise if it should be cleaned. I saw a good method in one of Grey Doffin's posts.

Many thanks!

[doug e lewis]

I am new at this, but let me try:

IMO -- DO NOT CLEAN THIS TSUBA. It looks fine to me, and I constantly read here, to leave it alone unless thereis lots orust, dirt, tar, etc. Maybe dust it, but i say it should left as is.

I believe its shape is a variation of Nade Mokko Gata or a variation of Mokko Gata. The engraving is hard to make out but seems to be a vine of some sort. A picture of the other side might help.

 

You are showing the omote side [front], but upside down and reversed. the kazuka hitsu ana [half moon shaped hole] should be on your left as you see the omote, and the narrow part of the nakago hitsu ana should be on top.

 

That is all I got so far . As to age, school, etc., can't day now; I'll see if any books I have will help. Links on this Forum will help. Dr. Stein' link is a great place to start.

Now the members who really know their stuff about tsuba can jump in and correct me so I can learn from my mistakes.

 

Doug e

[doug e lewis]

Hi again Carl,. I realized that a site where I started out and a good place to go is Jim Gillbet's web page

Just went there to make sure I wasn't giving real bad info --- i didn't --- but he does say you can clean your tsuba in mild soap and water, rinse throughly, and dry throughly. There is more so.....

 

Like your tsuba. am very interested in what is said about it re age, school, theme. etc. gonna look up stuff myself and see how close i get to the senior members.

 

Doug e

[Henry Wilson]

The tsuba is pictured upside down which is something you might want to consider if you are going to display it.

 

To be honest I am not sure if it is worth cleaning. I don't think fiddling with it will make it look any better and could actually make it look worse.

 

It makes me think of the tsuba at the top of this thread for some reason:

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3883&p=29137&hilit=nobuie+signatures#p29137

[Robertex]

Gents,

I am humbled by your expertise and greatly appreciate the advice on correctly displaying the tsuba. I will re-photograph the example in the next few days for better identification, but more importantly, to verify that I have it right with regard to proper display!

Thanks again guys!

[cspage]

Also, Carl, it's always helpful to give the measurements when asking about identification, etc. Usually in millimeters, height, width, thickness at the mimi (outer edge) and/or at the nakago-ana (cutout for the blade). Just a suggestion.

 

I'm looking forward to further photos.

 

Colin

[Robertex]

Colin,

Finally got to re-take the omote plus a new pic of the "other" side. The height is 72mm, width 60mm, mimi 2mm, and nakago-ana thickness 3.5mm.

Many thanks again for your time in sorting out this one!