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(鍔ギャラリー②) Tsuba Gallery #2

Ko-Katchūshi Tsuba (古甲冑師鐔)
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Japanese Title: 輪宝図透鐔 (rinbō no zu sukashi tsuba)
Material: Iron (tetsu 鉄)
Age: Middle Muromachi Period (室町時代中期)
Size: 8.0 cm X 8.1 cm, 2.0 mm at rim.
Signature:  Mumei (無銘)   
Shape:  Maru-gata (丸形)
Surface Finish: Tsuchime-ji (槌目地) 
Attachment: None

 

This is sword handguard (tsuba 鐔) made of forged iron (tetsu 鉄). The design done in positive openwork (ji-sukashi 地透) is that of Buddhist holy symbol (rinbō 輪宝). On the reverse side of the tsuba near the center right is an exposed superficial forging flaw that does not impact the functional nature of tsuba adds to great aesthetics. The overall condition of the iron and patina is excellent with just a little bit of damage in places to the delicate openwork. This is commonly seen on tsuba of this advance age. Based upon its overall size, plate construction, and bold simplicity of the openwork design that this tsuba was likely made sometime during middle of the Muromachi Period circa 1400 to 1500 CE. Its early production also explains why such fine work is unsigned (mumei 無銘).

Conventionally in Japanese texts the artisan blacksmiths who made these tsuba were referred to as early armorsmith (Ko-Katchūshi 古甲冑師) based upon how the multilayered plate was forged the technique used to execute the openwork design. Other western Japanese sword fittings experts such as Robert Haynes have used the term (Tanko 鐔工) to describe these type of early iron tsuba via personal communication with Mr. Haynes.

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Provenance: Unknown from Japanese Antique Dealer

Higo Kinkō Tsuba (肥後金工鐔)


Japanese Title: 蛸唐草文鐔 (tako karakusa mon tsuba)  
Material:  Unrefined Copper (yamagane 山銅)
Age:  Early Edo Period (江戸時代初期)  
Size: 6.9 cm X 7.6 cm, 3.0 mm at the rim
Signature:  Mumei (無銘)  
Shape:  Jūjimokko-gata (十字木瓜形)
Surface Finish: Yakite (焼き手)
Attachment: NBTHK Hozon Paper

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This is a handguard (tsuba 鐔) made for use on a long sword (katana 刀). It is made of unrefined copper (yamagane 山銅). The design carved into the surface of the tsuba is that of a fine and intricate octopus shaped arabesques pattern (tako karakusa-mon 蛸唐草文). The same design is repeated on the reverse side of the tsuba as well. The smooth texture of the tsuba surface was applied using a small amount of heat (yakite 焼き手) only to the point when the copper plate had started to metal a little bit providing a smooth tasteful texture to the surface. The rim was raised and worked-off at its edge (sukinokoshi-mimi 鋤残耳) to give its distinct shape. The overall shape of the tsuba resembles the cross section of a melon or gourd (uri 瓜) and the kanji for number ten (jū 十) (jūjimokko-gata 十字木瓜形). This shape was commonly used by many schools located in Higo Province (肥後國) during the Edo Period (Edo-jidai 江戸時代).

The previous owner attributes this tsuba to being the work of 1st generation Hirata Hikozo (平田彦三) who lived from 1590-1635 CE. Based upon the shape of the rim and the base metal used I think this tsuba was made by an independent but professional artist working in Higo Province during the early part of Edo Period. Based upon demographic information I can place the production of this tsuba from a bit after the time of Hirata Hikozo. An appraisal paper (hozon tōsōgu kanteisho 保存刀装具鑑定書) was issued confirming the tsuba is authentic, good quality, with artistic merit, and is worthy of historical preservation. The appraisal paper was issued on June 11, 2007. The NBTHK attributed this tsuba to being the work of an independent Higo artist.

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References:

  • Works of Hirata and Shimizu by Itō Mitsuru, translated by Markus Sesko, pg. 101 #22, Copyrighted 2007.

  • Higo Kinko Taikan by Sato, Homma, & Kashima, #138 and #143, Copyrighted 1964.

  • Tosogu Classroom Vol. 2 by Fukushi Shigeo, translated by Markus Sesko, Copyrighted 2018.

  • ‘鐔鑑賞記’by Zenzai, Internet Blog URL: 鐔鑑賞記 by Zenzai (goo.ne.jp).

  • Handbook of Sword Fittings Related Terms by Markus Sesko, Copyrighted 2011.

  • Higo-tsuba Dandyism Expressed Through Iron by Itō Mitsuru and Itō Sanpei, translated by Markus Sesko, JSSUS, Copyrighted 2014.

  • Japanese Sword Society of United States (JSSUS) Quarterly Journal, Volume 47, No. 2, March-April 2015 ‘Early History of the Hirata School of Higo Province’ by David Stiles, Copyrighted 2015.

   

Provenance: Skip Holbork Collection

Jakushi Tsuba (若芝鐔)

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Japanese Title: 山水図鐔 (sansui zu tsuba)

Material: Iron (tetsu 鉄)

Age: Edo Period (江戸時代)

Size: 6.8 cm X 6.5 cm, 3.0 cm at rim, 5.0 cm at seppa-dai

Signature: Jakushi (若芝)

Shape: Tatemaru-gata (竪丸形)

Surface: Ishimeiji (石目地) 

Attachment: Custom Storage Box with Inscription, NBTHK Tokbetsu Kicho Paper

 

This is iron (tetsu 鉄) handguard (tsuba 鐔) for a short sword (wakizashi 脇差). The overall design on both sides of the tsuba is referenced in both the NBTHK paper and hakogaki as (sansui 山水). Meaning a landscape containing both mountain and a river. This was a common subject of Japanese paintings done in the classical Chinese style. This was also a common subject of Jakushi School (jakushi-ippa 若芝一派) sword fittings. The tsuba is signed on the front side at the (seppa-dai 切羽台): (Jakushi 若芝).

Marked on the inside surface of the seppa-dai written with white paint is number 20. This was likely an old accession number. NBTHK Certificate: The old NBTHK (tokubetsu kicho 特別貴重) certificate was issued on November 1st of the 47th year of the Showa Period (1972 CE) to Michael Quigley. The attribution made by the NBTHK of the signed tsuba is to Jakushi.

 

Below is a English translation of custom box inscription (hakogaki 箱書き).

 

Line 1: 若芝鉄鐔

Line 2: 山水楼閣 唐人物図

Line 3: 本品の如く損傷少

Line 4: なき優品は日本に扵いても希なり

Line 5: 昭和戊午春日 [A spring day in the Showa Period.]

Line 6: 扵バーミングハム [Hakogaki was written in Birmingham.]

Line 7: 酔剣(花王) [Fukunaga Suigen (kaō)]

 

Provenance: It is from the Michael Quigley Collection.

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