Photo Credit: subjaudio
Japanese Edo Era Shakudo Tsuba
Buy It Now Price: $225 (price as of 2018; item no longer available)
Pros:
-A stylized wave motif and delicately gilt flowers adorn this gorgeous 18th century shakudo tsuba (samurai sword guard) from Japan’s Edo period.
-This old Japanese shakudo tsuba measures 5.5 cm (2.17 inches) long by 4.4 cm (1.73 inches) wide.
-The body of this tsuba is made from shakudo, a traditional Japanese alloy containing 93% to 97% copper and 3% to 7% gold. The unique, velvety-black patina of shakudo is a hallmark of high-end antique Japanese metalwork.
-Japan experienced major social changes during the Edo era (1603 to 1868 AD). Although the militaristic samurai were ostensibly near the top of feudal Japanese society, the increasing prosperity of merchants and artisans allowed them to flaunt their wealth via eye-catching luxury goods. It is possible that this tsuba was just such an item, meant to reflect the wealth of its affluent owner (who may not have been a samurai).
-The craftsmanship of this shakudo tsuba is absolutely superb. The elegance of the central wave design provides a subtle, yet interesting contrast with the etherealness of the flower border. There are many surviving antique Japanese tsuba, but few of them attain this level of aesthetic sophistication.
-Because most of this tsuba is made from shakudo, it actually possesses a not insignificant intrinsic value. According to my best guess, there is anywhere between 0.5 and 3 grams of gold locked up in this piece. With spot gold trading at around $1,200 a troy ounce, the item has an estimated melt value between $19 and $93. Of course, it goes without saying that you would have to be crazy to scrap such a lovely antique Japanese tsuba. But it is nice to know that your investment downside is protected nonetheless.
-I don’t think you can look at this shakudo tsuba without being struck by its stylistic similarity to the famous woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai titled The Great Wave off Kanagawa. That seminal print was completed in the early 1830s while this particular tsuba probably dates from the mid 18th century to very early 19th century. Both works were obviously incubated in the same cultural and artistic milieu.
-I believe that antique Japanese tsuba are really undervalued investment vehicles. And this shakudo tsuba underscores my argument. How can such an artistically outstanding, historically important piece be so cheap – a mere $225? And if that price is still too high, you can always make the seller a lower offer!
Cons:
-It is really difficult to see any cons with this wonderful old Japanese tsuba. I suppose you can argue that the metal surrounding the central blade hole has been banged up a bit. Of course, that also speaks to the item’s age and authenticity, as well.
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