100% Not a Cast Tsuba...

[Soshin]

Hi Everyone,

 

This is a topic about a tsuba that I am 100% sure it is not a cast copy! :lol: I received notice about my NTHK Kanteisho for a tsuba I submitted at the Tampa NTHK Shinsa in February of this year. NTHK liked the tsuba and awarded it a 70 point score and the higher Kanteisho paper. The lower paper is referred to as a Shintesho for nihonto and tosogu scored between 60-69. I have recently rephotographed the tsuba using my new digital camera Olympus Pen E-PL1 . Once I get the paper I will scan photos for everyone to see. I will also do a translation of the Kanteisho and post it along with scans. I always find this process informative and worth the time effort. Feedback and comments are welcome.

 

P.S. The tsuba was discussed here before:http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12243.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Henry Wilson]

Hi David

 

Well done. Nice to hear some good news.

 

I think you have been getting it a bit rough lately. I hope this news rekindles your enthusiasm.

 

Good luck

[Soshin]

Hi Henry,

 

It something about Daruma's expression on this tusba I just love. :D The bamboo and clouds on the reverse side is also very "Zen" in my honest opinion. The NTHK shinsa team was also friendly and happy to answer the questions I had about the authentication, identification, and attribution process. But they were not able to read all of the Kanji on tsuba many which are not readable as they are no longer in general use in Japan.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[bmoore1322]

Very nice, and is it me, or does it look like from the light of the flash, it is making it look as if the moon is coming through the clouds on the Tsuba, adding more beauty to it.

 

Thanks for sharing it.

 

Brian

[ROKUJURO]

.....NTHK liked the tsuba and awarded it a 70 point score and the higher Kanteisho paper.......

I like it also, it is a very nice one!

 

Is it only me who sees snow on the bamboo leaves? I did not read that in the description.

[Soshin]

Hi Jean C. and Brian,

 

I love tsuba that you keep looking at and see more and more things in the details. Jean C. you could be right about snow on the tops of the bamboo leaves on the ura side of the tsuba. Here is a photo taken last night. It nicely shows the contrast between the bright gold inlays of the eye and earring and the dark black patina of the iron on the omote side. Currently the shinsa paper are in transit from Japan to the USA. I will post a reply with a update once have the paper and do a translation.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Soshin]

Hi Everyone,

 

Here are the scans of the NTHK shinsa origami I recivied in the mail on Friday. The tsuba attribution is to a tsuba maker in the city of Saga, Hizen Province located on the southern island of Kyushu. I am still in the process of translating everything. I will post what I come up with in a few days. Enjoy and thanks for viewing.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Soshin]

Hi Everyone,

 

I updated the topic with the transliteration I did of the tsuba examination paper. Here is a short summary of the papers translation read from right to left top to bottom.

 

Front Cover:

1. Name of paper and level of worthiness: Kanteisho, This is awarded to fittings that are worthy of preservation and are of good quality.

 

2. The item: Tsuba (鍔)

 

3. Attribution: Saga Tsubako Saku (佐賀鍔工) - Made by a Tsuba craftsman in Saga.

 

4. This item is: Shoshin (正真) - Genuine

 

5. The date: Heisei Ni Ju Yo Nen Ni Gatsu Ju Toka - 10th of February, 2012

 

6. Signed and sealed: Nihon Token Hozon Kai (日本刀剣保存会)

 

Inside:

7: The licence number: 5881

 

8: Signature: Meibun Mumei (銘文 無銘) Without Signature

 

9. Work Style: Goishi gata (碁石形) - Go game piece shape, Kata hitsuana (片櫃孔) - a Hitsu ana on one side, Kakumimi Koniku (角耳小肉) - a squared rim that is slightly rounded,

 

Shitaji (下地) - ground material

 

tetsu (鉄) - Iron, tsuchime-ji (槌目地) - hammer marks on surface.

 

10. Zugara (図柄) - motif

 

Daruma (達磨) - Buddhist monk Bodhidharma.

 

Hori (彫瘢雹り) - carving style - Sukidashibori (鋤だし彫リ) - craving style, kinzogon (金象嵌) - gold inlay.

 

11. Other remarks: Biko (備考) - remarks : Edo koki (江戸後期) - late Edo period.

 

Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles