Shinsaku Tsuba

About three years ago I posted a note to the Tokenkenkyukai list server that I had just successfully poured and forged a shakudo blank for tsuba. This particular tsuba was copied from a piece that was featured in a Sothebys auction catalog with only a slight change in the shape.  (featured as Kikkagata but I chose to fashion it Nademarugata).  As is often the case, I enjoy thumbing through auction catalogs with my wish list, choosing the one tsuba that I like most.  This particular piece with its quiet elegance had struck me deeply and with the difficulty of finding such a piece outside of an established collection,  I chose to make my own.   I did include sekigane of solid gold with tomoyasuri in the kozukahitsu which adds a striking contrast to the fine purple/black of the base.

When I initially showed this piece to other collectors I sensed a little apprehension as it is difficult to differentiate from old.   I sensed that they were picturing me in the dungeon pounding out fakes to sell to unsuspecting collectors heheh. In reality the time required to complete such a piece is substantial and the attachment developed is not easily broken.

I've included a sketch of the proposed kodogu the will be created to complete the set.  I will feature their manufacture as I progress