Help with school

[Akitombo]

Hi,

This was a recent purchase, which went cheap on flea bay due to bad pics.

It measures 2.28 x 2.44 inches and is 0.19 inches thick

The iron is good, any ideas on school?

Regards

David

[Soshin]

Hi David,

 

Looking at the photo which are not bad I would say tsuba is likely a mid Edo Period (circa 1670-1770) Shoami tsuba. The iron and the color of the patina reminds of another tsuba which I think is a mid Edo Period Shoami school tsuba done with a similar positive openwork design (ji-sukashi). The shape of the rim and seppa-dai is also similar to mine as well. Would a photo of my similar tsuba be helpful for your research?

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Akitombo]

David

A picture of your tsuba would be great

I am always worried about putting tsuba into the Shoami slot, as over the years it is the one when no other fits.

But I think that it may be spot on in this case

Regards

David

[Soshin]

Hi David,

 

In regards to the Shoami "slot" one must remember that the Shoami school during the Edo Period was the most productive and prolific tsuba schools in terms of the number of artisans belong to that school and the total number pieces produced. Your tsuba much like the example I provided below were likely made to be mounted on a wakazashi which could have been used not just by a samurai but also any merchants or artisans which were also allowed to have a wakazashi. Just some food for thought.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles