HAYNES & LONG
TSUBA SALE


  


"The images above represent about a third of our entire collection of tosogu. One can then understand why we must sell some in order to make room for more acquisitions. In buying, we decide on the piece and make a deal for it - when we see it. If you don't act, at the right time for the right piece, you'll miss it. In all other situations - collecting, holding or selling, time is your friend; with the one exception of buying. You have to know what is the right piece at the right price - and then be ready to just buy it.

All tsuba listed below are being sold at a price that is less than currently seen on our web site. We have enjoyed our time studying them and feel it is best that they have a new caretaker. Please feel free to ask questions but don't ask for a price lower than what is shown here."

KATCHUSHI
    $900.00
"Iron slightly oval plate with pipe rim. The web with sukashi of nata (utility knife) on right side of plate and kogai shape hitsu on the left side. The web area of the plate retains much of the original black lacquer surface, on both sides. Katchushi tsuba with dote mimi (pipe rim) are quite rare, and much sought after.
This example is far superior to the one illustrated in: ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUES (sic) OF TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM SWORD GUARD, Tokyo 1979, page 6 number 18. In this example several of the sukashi openings are later additions to the original plate. A far better example can be found in: Masayuki Sasano: EARLY JAPANESE SWORD GUARDS SUKASHI TSUBA, Tokyo & San Francisco 1972, page 49 number 17. This example has two nata, and no hitsu-ana, and is just slightly larger than the present one. The nata design is not always found with a pipe rim, as we see in the example illustrated in: SASANO (the "silver book") Tokyo 1994, page 28, number 3. This example is a nata gama (bill hook).
All in all a very rare and fine example of this style of tsuba." (Haynes)
8.30cm x 8.20cm x 0.30cm (seppa)
KATCHUSHI
    $450.00
"Iron plate in square mokko shape with amida yasuri both sides. Both sides have carved outline of outer edge and seppa/hitsu-ana. The hitsu-ana is plugged with soft metal that has been stamped. Dates to Momoyama period, ca. 1650." (Long)
7.30cm x 7.40cm x 0.40cm (seppa)
TOSHO
    $300.00
"The tsuba presented here is a large iron example with a gourd and moon motif. Minimal black lacquer is present on both faces. It is 'ubu' being from the early to middle Muromachi period." (Long)
8.30cm x 8.20cm x 0.30cm (seppa)
 
ONIN
    $500.00
"Iron maru-gata shape tsuba with maru-kaku mimi. Though small and meant for a wakasashi, the inlays of brass with gold plating are done very well. The iron in the tsuba is excellent and shows a wonderful patina with great age. It is very well made and even with its size, feels powerful and dignified." (Long)
7.70cm x 7.30cm x 0.30cm

SUKASHI    $200.00
An excellent study piece of a iron sukashi design. There are obvious traits of various schools: Akasaka, Owari, Shoami, and others. We may never know who actually made this highly refined and simple piece.
6.98cm x 6.52cm x 0.47cm
 

AIZU SHOAMI
$500.00
"Presented here is a well-forged iron plate tsuba of rounded-square shape with thick lustrous brass inlay of lotus plants. The blossoms, leaves and vines are pre-cast. These pieces are then inserted into 'reservoirs' cut to shape in the plate. There are no sharp edges as might be found on carved inlay. The design of the blossoms and leaves are carved after insertion in the plate. The broad areas of inlay are called suemon-zogan. A masterpiece of this school dating to ca.1700, mid Edo period." (Haynes & Long)
KO-SHOAMI   $200.00
"Iron square mokko shape (iri-sumi kaku) of sukashi design of a kanji meaning 'for you'. This was a gift tsuba. Remnants of gold and silver inlay, gold representing the sun and silver representing the moon. A fair amount of the inlay is missing but cherry blossom flowers can be seen. Dates to Momoyama period, ca. 1700." (Long)

7.90cm x 8.15cm x 0.45cm
 

SHOAMI   $800.00
Momoyama Period (ca. 1600)
"The elaborate and detailed design of cloves, the use of refined iron with abundant brass inlay, contribute to the strong impact of this masterpiece. There seems to be two different colors of brass inlay used. Fine tekkotsu on the rim. The representation seen here of cloves (one of the objects of the Takaramono, associated with the Gods of Luck), define Sweetness and Health. Only missing inlay at 8 o'clock position (see at right)." (Long)
'NAGOYA TSUNETOMO'    $400.00

"Sukashi iron tsuba with inlay of hira zogan on the web. Edo period ca. 1800. Refer: H 10918.0 Haynes Index." (Long)
7.69cm x 7.54cm.
AIZU SHOAMI    $300.00
"Aizu Shoami tsuba mostly have an iron ji, and kinko works are very rare. The shinmaru gata (true circle) shape is encountered regularly. Most round tsuba are a bit taller than they are wide as is the case here. Both hitsu-ana are often shaped like kogai-hitsu as opposed to the standard kozuka kogai configuration. A motif showing a person or thematic object with a natural landscape in the background is common. Motifs such as the Chinese subject shown here, are often seen. The bottom right section will contain the main design carved in takabori and/or detailed with nunome or inlay work, while the upper left section area is carved with comparatively less detail - moresoft and suggestive. This effect implies visual distance, draws our eye to the main section of the work and gives the illusion of depth to the overall design." (Long)
6.90cm x 7.35cm x 0.40cm
SHOAMI   $600.00
"A round iron plate tsuba with scalloped rim edge. The brass inlay of three leaf plant with vines occurs on both sides. On the ura side, left of nakago-ana, is carved 'Ten' meaning heaven, sky, the air, Imperial, etc. It seems this was added after the tsuba was made. The hitsu-ana show Shoami style influence.
Dates to the Momoyama period, ca. 1550-1600." (Long)
7.30cm x 7.85cm x 0.45cm
'Yamashiro no Kuni Fushimi Ju Kaneiye'
$500.00
This fine iron tsuba for a Japanese sword has a Maru Gata circular form, and a well patined surface. It is provided with Kogai Hitsu Ana. The well patined surface is carved in a delicate manner in Katakiri Bori, a carving with lines of varying thickness and depth in imitation of the strokes of a painter's brush, the carving repeats on the reverse, with engraved details, and the iron of good color. The use of gold inlay is minimal and appears to be 24 karat. Dates to ca. 1650.
'Yamashiro no Kuni Fushimi Ju Kaneiye'
$450.00
This elegant iron tsuba in maru gata circular form, with punch marks at the nakago ana, has the feel of great strength and a well patined surface. It is provided with kogai hitsu ana. The well patined surface is carved in katakiri bori, a carving with lines of varying thickness and depth in imitation of the strokes of a painter's brush, the carving repeats on the reverse, with engraved details, and the iron of good color. The subject depicts two figures crossing a bridge on their way to a temple in the mountains, and mountains rising in the distance. On the reverse, there appears a fisherman in his boat, with distant mountains in the background. Dates to ca. 1700.
'Yamashiro no Kuni Fushimi Ju Kaneiye'
$450.00
This fine iron tsuba for a Japanese sword has a maru gata circular form, with punch marks in the nakago ana, a look of great strength and a well patined surface. It is ubu, no hitsu-ana. The well patined surface is carved in a delicate manner in katakiri borion both faces. The subject depicts a peaceful landscape, with two Tsuru alighting above, and mountains rising in the distance. The design looks like a painting, it is in the tradition of Chinese Sung dynasty landscape painting, and of the ink drawings of the Japanese painter Sesshuu. The metal is good, the workmanship excellent, the design lofty, dignified, and carefully worked, and the surface with a deep dark brown patina. This tsuba exhibits many usual characteristics, is very well hammered, and the entire guard has a rustic appearance. All of these traits make this an excellant work of the Saga Kaneiye school. Dates to ca. 1700.

'Yamashiro no Kuni Fushimi Ju Kaneiye'
$400.00
A large iron plate tsuba in maru-gata circular form, with punch marks and sekigane in the nakago ana. Both hitsu ana are filled with shakudo. The well patined surface is carved in a delicate manner in katakiri bori. The carving repeats on the reverse, with engraved details, and the iron of good color. The concept of the design encompasses the total surface of the tsuba. The metal is good, the workmanship excellent, the design lofty, dignified, and carefully worked, with minimal inlay of gold, and the surface with a deep chocolate patina. This Tsuba exhibits an unusual outline of the entire seppa area to include the hitsu-ana on both faces. The entire guard has a rustic appearance. Dates to ca. 1750.
'Yamashiro no Kuni Fushimi Ju Kaneiye'
$300.00
This iron plate tsuba has a largely squared circular form known as Okaku Maru. It is provided with Hitsu Ana. The well patined surface is carved in a delicate manner, a carving with lines of varying thickness and depth in imitation of the strokes of a painter's brush, the carving repeats on the reverse, with engraved details. The subject depicts the usual scene of a boat on the shoreline amongst the bamboo, under a chrysanthemum growing in the hills. On the ura, the landscape below and the hills above surrounding a temple. The workmanship is not only found in the Saga school pieces but also in Mito and Shoami schools. The design is dignified, and carefully worked, the forms full bodied, and the surface with a deep brown patina. This tsuba exhibits many usual characteristics, and the entire guard has a rustic appearance. Dates to ca. 1800.
SHOAMI 'NOBUIYE'     $300.00
H 07069.0    (Hosoji-mei)  (ca.1750-1800)
"This artist was one of the last to use the Nobuiye name. He worked in Sanshu Okazaki ju, Mikawa Province using mostly the kinko style and did not make any Kiyosu Nobuiye tsuba." (Long)

SANSUI-GA
    $300.00
"Presented here is an 'ita' tsuba with both surfaces covered in a landscape design including a boar and plover. Possibly copied from a painting. The shape of the plate is known as 'Nade Mokko', smooth (sloping shoulders) mokko. Both hitsu are filled with shakudo. There appears trace amounts of gold inlay." (Haynes)
8.45cm x 7.85cm x 0.48cm

GINKYO
    $400.00
"An iron Ginkyo motif design tsuba of four leafs with brass dew drops inlaid." (Haynes)
8.30cm x 7.70cm x 0.35cm

European Tea Kettle Design
    $400.00
"Sukashi design of a European Tea Kettle. Seems to date to ca.1600. Not sure of school but a very rare design." (Haynes)
7.20cm x 7.30cm x 0.40cm

'YASAKA EIKAN SAKU'
    $500.00
"Write-up to follow. See Haynes H 00438.0." (Long)
7.75cm x 7.80cm x 0.40cm

'YASUTSUGU'    $400.00
"A tsuba in 'kasanemochi' shape (heaped rice-cake) or otafuku mokko reminding some of the fat-cheeked girl. There is sukashi of open fan appearing on both sides of seppa-dai and a closed umbrella on the ura.
After an intensive study of the signature, we conclude it could be 'YASUTSUGU' of the Shimosaka family, but a much later generation. This would be for the plate only. The inlay of silver and gold was either by a Tanaka or by a goldsmith.
Appears to date ca. 1800 or later." (Long)
7.85cm x 6.92cm x 0.39cm
'MUNEMASA' with Kao   
$500.00   
"Irregular oval iron plate with smooth surface, and slightly raised rim. Hot stamped with the design of the symbols for the five mountain ranges of China. With original copper plugs at top and bottom of the nakago-ana, both with small chrysanthemum stamps on both sides. Udenuki appear in lower right quadrant.
Signed: 'Munemasa' with kao, H 06130.0.This is the artist who lived in Hisai in Ise Province. Born 1817, died June 25, 1863." (Haynes & Long)
'TSUNETOSHI'   
$500.00   
A large and heavy iron mokko-gata shape tsuba for a very large Katana. The forging is extremely well done showing multiple folds in the steel. The hammer work is advanced, especially in the shaping of the rim.
The sukashi in the lower quadrant is of landscape terrain and water. And two cranes above deciding where to land. This is very reminiscence of Kaneiye work.
The signature that appears in the lower, right area, is of 'TSUNETOSHI' of the Miyaguchi family (H 10920.0). He was a swordsmith that made his own tsuba. (Haynes & Long)
Katsunaga Gift Tsuba   
$100.00   
A Gift Tsuba owned by the Matsuhira family. Given as a gift to visiting dignitaries. (Haynes & Long)

A Collaboration of Robert E. Haynes and Elliott D. Long