Need help with antique Japanese sword item - tsuba?

Discussion in 'General Precious Metals Discussion' started by kiona, Apr 21, 2018.

  1. kiona

    kiona Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Hi all,

    My dad was a collector of everything :) We found these lovely old pieces in a box which I believe are antique Japanese sword accessories, made from brass and copper. We'd like to sell them, hopefully to a collector where they will be appreciated, and we're looking for the correct way to describe them and also a realistic value. I'm way out of my depth here as I really know nothing about this type of item.

    I've tried doing a little research and the individual pieces seem to be called tsuba, fuchi and kashira? I think they might possibly be from the Edo or Meiji period?

    I also found this on ebay, which looks fairly similar to the largest of the pieces.... https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/232-Japanese-Samurai-Meiji-Antique-Shakudo-Oimatsu-zu-Excellent-Tsuba/382434445249?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

    Can anyone please let me know if I'm on the right track or help out with some more info?

    Thanks!

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    rsz_img_1748.jpg rsz_img_1749.jpg
     
  2. lowtech

    lowtech Active Member

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    The large piece is called a tsuba (hand guard). I would describe it to a collector as having a kogai (hair and earwax maintenance tool) hole but not a kogatana (small knife as an accessory) hole. The top right is a habaki and the bottom right is a kashira (pommel).
     
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  3. lowtech

    lowtech Active Member

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  4. lowtech

    lowtech Active Member

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  5. lowtech

    lowtech Active Member

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    The top right is a not a habaki like I said, I flicked through a book I have and it is (as you have already worked out), a fuchi (collar/ferrule). I've probably been no help, whatsoever.

    For what it is worth, my book agrees that the katana (Samurai sword) and the wakazashi (Japanese short sword) were popular in the Edo period, (1603-1876).

    It says that making the tsubas became a profession all of its own and many were quite collectible. So your dad might have been onto something if they are real. Probably knew they were not just bits of a broken sword, when he got them.
     
  6. lowtech

    lowtech Active Member

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    Is there any makers mark?
     
  7. lowtech

    lowtech Active Member

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  8. kiona

    kiona Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Thanks for the info.

    No, can't see a maker's mark on it.
     

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