Iron, tatemaru-gata, with design of “inome” (猪目 “boar’s eye”) in openwork, overlaid with oblong shapes representing either rulers, bridge planks, or wooden clapping sticks. The oblong shapes are a recurring theme in ironwork tsuba, and the subject of much debate among tsuba collectors. Inome (“boar’s eye), otherwise known as the heart shapes, are another common design element found in tsuba, heraldry, fabrics, architecture, etc.
Much confusion and contradicting information about Nobuie, even among high-end collectors. Impossible to say whether this is 1 st generation, 2nd generation, student, forgery, or part of a school of smiths that all signed “Nobuie”. I think many people claiming they have a 1st or 2nd generation Nobuie tsuba, really do not know what they are talking about. Even with papers, one cannot be sure, as the consensus about Nobuie changes from generation to generation. My guess for this tsuba is that it is neither 1 st nor 2nd generation, but possibly would be accepted as “Nobuie” school.
Mei/signature:
Nobuie 信家
School/province: Possibly Nobuie school
Period/age: Momoyama
Measures: 7.90 cm x 7.50 cm x 0.40 cm
Certificate: No
Included: NO kiri box included
