A large Kagamishi tsuba with early style hitsuana.
A very simple design that would work equally well in either orientation. It appears to me to be cast, but a previous owner’s label attributes it to ko-kinko. In some cases it can be difficult to say whether a piece is cast or carved.
Not much to see on the rim, but for the record.
And a detail view with traces of black lacquer remaining.
A similar guard with likely later modification.
And a not so similar guard from Sasano-sensei’s Kagamishi book that combines similar decorative motifs.
Tsuba Kansho 
Really good tsuba here, Jim. Thanks for posting it. An intriguing motif: I can’t recall seeing hachi as a motif in such early pieces before (I don’t have the Sasano book). Impressive dimensions, too. Love to see it in person if it could join you in San Francisco.
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Hi Jim…
Gosh this still excites me. I remember the very large size and also that it was attributed to ko-kinko… which I believe were not this large… the last tsuba that you show has the same wasp? on it right?? a fine old tsuba indeed… would love to see this in the sun… I remember bringing it right over to you in C. … so glad that you have it…
Thanks for posting. Stuart PS.. I do appreciate that you even say how difficult it can be at times to know from a casting or not….
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