Help identifying Japanese tsuka / sword handles

David R · 13th February 2023, 09:57 PM

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By any chance, is there any way of narrowing down its age? Early, mid or late Edo? Or is it impossible to tell?[/QUOTE]

Before the Meiji, after which they were irrelevant with the end of the Han system and creation of a national army. Otherwise, Ghd knows, these have been found with Heian era blades in them, they just ran every piece of junk through the repair shop to make a usable weapon, and then stuck it in the arsenal. Here's one of mine assembled from whatever was in the bit-box back in the day. The kashira is from a handachi scabbard, the basic core is from a knackered Tanto, and the menuki a washer from an Edo period tobacco pouch!

13th February 2023, 09:57 PM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	[QUOTE= By any chance, is there any way of narrowing down its age? Early, mid or late Edo? Or is it impossible to tell?[/QUOTE] Before the Meiji, after which they were irrelevant with the end of the Han system and creation of a national army. Otherwise, Ghd knows, these have been found with Heian era blades in them, they just ran every piece of junk through the repair shop to make a usable weapon, and then stuck it in the arsenal. Here's one of mine assembled from whatever was in the bit-box back in the day. The kashira is from a handachi scabbard, the basic core is from a knackered Tanto, and the menuki a washer from an Edo period tobacco pouch! Attached Images