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I'd call cast from the rounded mei

@Rivkin I was wondering if some of our Ninja members was going to take offense LOL

I use to do so (with cooking paper) when i put a decent tsuba on a pratice sword to avoïd the wear off... not very orthodoxe thow. Best regards, Eric

Is there any authentique Ninjato registred by NBTHK? And by the way, could be nihonto token considered as a religion?

That is wonderful item and wonderful article. On another note for the discussion about Tametsugu in this thread, there is actually a Tametsugu tachi dated 1357 signed with Echizen - 越前国藤原為継. However I understand different experts in Japan have varying opinions on various swords, so opinions on authencity may vary from who you ask.

Sorry I already sold it but you never know if the seller might return it because he was conflicted but I will let you know if he changes his mind Steve

...Old Sokaku Takeda was known (and feared) for throwing metalic chopsticks with great accuracy (sometimes even to his pupills during the meal). But I agree kozuka are terrible throwing weapons...

Bruno, how safe is it that this TSUBA is not cast? The photo is a bit fuzzy which makes it difficult for me to see details.

The 癸巳 is year in the 60 year Zodiac cycle. As we had good posts on tsuba age and dates, I think these might be plausible ones. 1593, 1653, 1713, 1773. 十月 would be 10th month. Unfortunately I am pretty much clueless when it comes to tsuba makers so cannot help on actual maker or even school.

Jakushi - 若芝 (...but yes, probably cast)

"Ouch! That hurts! Leave my ankle alone!" "Oohh...sorry. I was trying to end your suffering" "Ouch!! Dammit...stop poking me with that blunt instrument. Bloody hurts!" "Hmm....how about this?" "Aaaah....stop it! That's sore. Think you left a bruise now. That's going to leave a mark!" "Ooh. Apologies dude...I was told I need to do this to end your misery. Stop wriggling like that" Lol....sorry, couldn't resist. Have a whole Monty Python-style thing going on in my head now.

Yes, I thought the merciful thing to do was to lop off their heads in feudal Japan. Thats what the 2nd was there to do during an act of harakiri, not stab them in the ankle with a blunt chopstick/hair adornment tool.

Im not sure if bleeding out via ankle is merciful, but it sure does make for good reading.

Specialised throwing spikes do exist in many Ryuha, but are of Iron as Brian says. In fact the Late Ōtake Risuke (1926 - 2021), Shihan of Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū used a set made for him by the Swordsmith Yoshindo Yoshihara.

Dear all, Some estimated NMB members have decyphered this tsuba signature as being : right side: 癸巳十月 left side : 心哉彫 Unfortunatly nobody as a smith is referenced with these kanji in books which are available to me. Does someone can find similar tsuba in style to drive me in the right direction ? Thank you.

All depends if you are looking to buy or have some quiet time with your favourite blade. Friday will be more relaxed and give you first crack of the whip. Saturday after lunch was the busiest last year.

Steve, You might already know, but the blue/brown tassel was used by Company grade officers - Capt's and Lt's - as well as the equivalent grade Gunzoku personnel (civilian force working for the military). I've attempted to enhance, a bit, the mei. Maybe someone can make it out. You might need to take some more shots with lighting/shadows that enhance the writing

I'm interested but would like to see some better pictures of the hamon if possible. Also do you have any pictures that show the crack you've described in the sheath? Also is this the same sword you had posted back in this thread, If so what happened to the original Silk surrender cloth that originally came with it?

Interesting thread. I fear verdigris on copper or shakudo >much more> than I fear rust on iron tsuba . [That partially depends on the school's iron and time in history. Some schools, if they get rust... it is a long long time to heal them.] Sometimes verdigris does a real doozy on otherwise very good ko-kinko tsuba. Ford H. and others gave good advice on verdigris. I'm glad to see someone sharing their struggle with chemistry and copper based tsuba.

Indeed. Would be near useless if it were thrown. Grain of salt...

I'm very surprised by the Omori School papers. Personally, I thought this was high grade Kaga Kinko up there with some of the examples in the Kaga Kinko Taikan.

It is also suggesting the kozuka/kogatana was a throwing knife?…..because the balance is all wrong for that surely?

Thank you Giordy I have been looking at nihontoclub for signature but couldn’t find anything similar to this. Do you have any more info of this smith ? Bosco

My condolences to family & friends. He was a good hearted guy and enthusiastic collector.