Brass Namban Tsuba
TS0588
SOLD
Brass sixteen petal, tsuba. Slightly raised dragon and arabesque on a nanako ground. Likely an acid reduction to create the high relief. Sukashi mon, and two decorative additions. One a character written in archaic style, the other a circle with a decorative swirl. 7 cm x 6.6 cm x 3.3 mm As soon asI can get my printer working, I'll send pictures to Robert Haynes for his input. For now, my best guess is a Korean import for the Japanese market, likely 17th century.
Comment from James Macelheney, who has done extensive study on what are loosely characterized as Namban trade items.
I concur with your assessment that it looks Korean—Joseon being a place where swords were very similar in form to their Japanese counterparts, only much smaller in size.
Looking at the photos more closely, there is a feeling of Hirado work; the red cooper alloy, mainland design motifs. Hirado carried on a brisk trade with Korea, long after the promulgation of the Sakoku edicts.
This piece seems to be imitating tooled leather; something for which the Portuguese were known. It might be simulaating textile desogns. Given the combination of Korean and Portuguese influences, my revised kantei is Hirado; early 17th c.