Leaderboard

Hi Michael, From a similar and near identical tsuba description made by: Samurai Museum / Japan: “Title: Heianjo-style, Inome Sukashi Description Iron Tsuba with Kozuka and Kougai holes Inome Sukashi pattern is engraved with openwork. Inome means boar’s eye, and Sukashi means openwork in Japanese. Inome pattern has been being used since ancient times, and it looks similar to heart mark. People believed that the Inome design works as an amulet that protects them from evil spirits or fire and brings good luck. This pattern is often found in traditional Japanese architectures such as shrines or temples. And it is used in Gegyo (decoration under the roof, where the roof is joined) or metal fittings for hiding timber joints. Karakusa Mon (arabesque pattern) is inlaid with brass. Ivy has vitality, and it thrives strongly; therefore, this plant pattern represents prosperity and longevity. Heianjo-style was established in Yamashiro (Kyoto Pref.). It is mainly made of iron with brass inlay. Its design was simply family crest or arabesque patterns in the beginning. However, after that, they made different shapes of Tsuba and started using gold, silver, or copper for inlaying”. (Quote: Samurai Museum) All the best. /Soren

Hi all, So, I know even less about tosogu than I do about blades. I'd like to know about this tsuba. Age / era, relative quality, etc. Any relevant - as at some point, it's a field of collecting I'm interested in. To me, it doesn't appear especially high-end, but obviously there's some effort that's gone into the decorations (plum blossoms I believe).

Shinchu is a type of Japanese brass, yes, and zogan is a general word for inlay. Yours are properly inserted into the iron surface so they are known as 'Hon-zogan', or genuine inlay. The Japanese have long admired vines such as Fuji (wisteria), for their climbing and binding and strength, suggesting prosperity in a family or clan. Among the arabesque vine designs we also find clematis, at least since the 1600s that I am aware of. I suspect that coming from China, it also had the subliminal function of bringing society together anew, possibly through versions of Yomeigaku, a rediscovery of Classical Chinese religion and philosophy favo(u)red by the Tokugawa to replace out-of-favo(u)r Christianity.

Iron with shinchu zogan in inome shapes. Not especially low-end either. Just the sort of thing we can all enjoy. Ume? They might actually be clematis (Tessen) flowers, judging by the vines.(Tessen usually depicted with six petals though.)

If it's spinning in place, then it might simply "pull-out" Don't go yanking on anything though. Try gently pulling on it, and see if it has any give. What does the other side of the screw look like? You might have to secure that side while you turn, like a nut and a bolt. Anyway, I'm sure i'm not speaking for myself here; but I'd love to see more photos of the whole sword! Best of luck, -Sam

Michael, your TSUBA looks to be in good condition as there is no brass loss to be seen. This can happen on lesser work. The inlay is slightly above the TSUBA plate (like in TAKA ZOGAN) which can be a hint for a later production date (early EDO JIDAI). Older examples often have a kind of "HIRA ZOGAN" (inlay is flush with the iron plate). This is what I have read. I think it is a good collectable ROKU MOKKO style TSUBA.

Well the joint for the fukurin is in the correct place, this is just a guess but the guard may have been a family heirloom, passed down the generations. From the condition of the plate there may well have been damage to the original rim which was covered up by the fukurin. On some occasions the fukurin itself can damage the metal underneath by holding moisture causing Galvanic corrosion action between the two different metals. Whatever the reason, the fukurin was added because someone thought it was worth the trouble and we should respect that intention. It does give the piece a certain robust look.

Long longitudinal split along the grain of the metal? That's called a ware and they're fairly common in traditionally forged Japanese swords. Not a lot of concern to be had here unless it is really wide or close to the hamon. For more information: http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/kizu.htm

Hello All, my apologies if I have posted this before. I have this large tsuba, 85mmx80mm, 6mm thick. Probably not much to know but thoughts on why someone would take time to put the rim on and old turd. If you look at the pics closely there are some gouged or engraved lines on the plate following the shape of the fukurin. Plate is flat except where metal has been rusted away. Shape of Ana is sea cucumber? Fukurin seam is at the 5:30 position on tsuba. Heavy and possibly old. Thanks

This seems to have slipped under the radar, but NHK recently did a series on 12 absolute masterpieces. All short films of roughly 5 mins, but narrated in English or subtitled where needed so easily accessible. The Beauty of Japanese Swords: Famous Masterpieces

Hi guys, If you've been watching my site you may have noticed I've slashed the prices of nearly every piece of kodogu (if you haven't been watching, shame on you:-). Find the carnage here: https://www.Japanese...tegory/tsuba-kodogu/ I have 2 or 300 pounds of books to list in the next few days and new (to my site) swords, koshirae, and fittings will follow soon. Thanks as always to those of you who support my efforts: much appreciated. Grey

Amahide himself, let alone the shop he was running and his students and partners, did a lot of experimenting and making some crazy blades. I have a fully forged gunto katana but radically oil quenched with a wild result. Yours was probably the cooler and more tamer examples of their work with hamon and steels. Others in here definitely know more. Regards

Shinchu-Zogan A popular design of Heianjo and Kaga Yoshirō style Inome tsuba. The type of plant or flower can vary but the style is very much the same.

Listing a very impressive ubu middle Nanbokucho tanto attributed to the Bizen smith Osafune Morisuke. The blade has two sets of NBTHK kanteisho, both Hozon and Tokubetsu Hozon, stating this attribution, along with the Tanobe-sensei sayagaki below. The hamon is ko-gunome and the jihada is a beautiful itame with utsuri. The nagasa is 9 sun 7 bu, and the sword has a wide mihaba. The nakago is ubu and typical of middle Nanbokucho Bizen. The overall sugata is very similar to Nanbokucho Bizen Tomomitsu and Yukimitsu tanto in my collection. This is now available on consignment for $6,750 + shipping & PayPal. 備前國⻑船守助 但⽣茎無銘也。時代南北朝中期同⼯ニハ延⽂及ビ貞治ノ年紀ヲ有スル在銘作ガ存在シ本作ハ其ニ頗ル近似シ出来優矣 本作刃⻑九⼨七分弱也惟時⼰丑季弥⽣良宜⽇探⼭邉道識「花押」 Bizen no Kuni Osafune Morisuke Tadashi ubu-nakag mumei nari. Jidai Nanbokuchō-chūki dōkō ni wa Enbun oyobi Jōji no nenki o yū-suru zaimei-saku ga sonzai-shi honsaku wa sore ni sukoburu kinji-shi deki iu nari. Honsaku hachō kyū-sun shichi-bu chaku nari Koretoki tsuchinoto-ushidoshi yayoi ryōgi no hi Tanzan Hendō shirusu + kaō Osafune Morisuke from Bizen Province [This blade has] An ubu-nakago and mumei. Morisuke was a smith from the mid-Nanbokuchō period and there exist work from him which are dated between Enbun (1356-1361) and Jōji (1362-1368) and which are very similar to this blade, which is of an excellent deki. Blade length ~ 29.3 cm Written by Tanzan Hendō [Tanobe Michihiro] on a lucky day in March of the year of the ox of this era (2009) + monogram

https://www.toukenko...i&katanaA111118.html Ray started a thread on it 5 years ago.

Slight correction - the stamp on the mei side is the Gifu stamp No one knows exactly who was using the stamp. It was either the Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association or the Nagoya Army Arsenal. The small stamp at top on the date side is the small Seki stamp of the Seki area inspector from the Nagoya Army Arsenal. The presence of either would tell us the blade wasn't made in the traditional manner. Sesko lists 2 Kanemune smiths in WWII. Don't know which one this would be: KANEMUNE (兼宗), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kanemune” (兼宗), real name Fukumoto Koichi (福本小市), born October 14th 1902, adopted son-in-law of Fukumoto Amahide (天秀), he died on March 8th 1977, ryōkō no jōi (Akihide) KANEMUNE (兼宗), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gunma – “Kanemune” (兼宗), family name Kiribuchi (桐淵), he worked as a rikugun-jumei-tōshō, ryōkō no jōi (Akihide), Fifth Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀 展覧会, 1941)

Showa stamp pretty much seals it's fate as a Showato <-- machine made arsenal blade. The only way to 100% know for sure is for someone knowledgeable to see the actual blade. Looks to be signed Kanemune 兼 宗 although not 100% sure on second character. Dated Showa Ni Ju Nen Ni gatsu (Feb 1945) 昭和二十年二月

I agree with Chris. This is a forging ware'. Being that it is in the mune and is tight in nature, it is not a problem. It is possible that this is the core steel not bonding to the skin steel.

Same here. This kyu-gunto tassel is really a work of art.

I can see it now. Bubba was in his barn on the outskirts of Martinsville, IN. sayin' "imma gon sharpen this here samurai sword and chop some trees round Thelma-Lu's garden."

靖國奉賛會美術部謹製 – Respectfully made by Yasukuni (Shrine) Support association Art department 靖國神社謹畫 – Respectfully drawn by Yasukuni Shrine

Guys a whack job. He blew up on me after I called him out on several blades he bought from komonjo that he re-polished(but said they were professionally done in Japan) and a few "yari" that were actually rifle bayonets that he wouldn't show the nakago on or the stampings of one that that said U.S(Also sold on ebay by komonjo) No one on SBG seems to give a crap about what he does. He very obviously misleads people.

Yes, this fellow is rather infamous. He unfortunately re-polishes blades and uses them for cutting, best to avoid doing business with someone who mistreats Nihonto like that.

I've already had this kind of mark on one of my old blades. It's hard to tell from the photos if it's exactly the same on this blade. But sometimes the Shirasaya is a bit too tight and causes blackish rub marks.

For anyone in the UK the Royal Mail are banning all bladed items from April 22nd 2024. This Includes sharp scissors "You must not send any item that has a blade, in particular, ‘Bladed Articles’ as defined by the Criminal Justice Act 1988 or ‘Bladed Products’ as defined by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019. Such items include, but are not limited to, any knife blade, any kitchen knife (regardless of size or design), bread knives, knives that can be used for hobbies and trades (regardless of whether they are marketed as knives, for instance, utility knives and snap-off cutters), gardening and farming tools that have a blade, any trade tool that could commonly be described as a knife, butcher’s knives (including meat cleavers), cutlery knives, scissors with sharp edges, sporting equipment with a blade, replica and antique knives (including those used for re-enactment purposes), handmade and bespoke knives, open razors (where the blade is exposed), any axe, any sword, survival knives, or machete"

Someone took a belt sander to this Emura. May it rest in peace.

Hello again. Here is a other nihontou from Japan that I purchased. Definitely not as fancy as the tanto I bought, and not the best "diamonds" on the tsuka...but it is a handachi! (One of my favorite koshirae, regardless if modern or antique)

In theory they can put school (province), period, even generation in papers. Often there will be hints allowing to pinpoint such data, even if its not stated directly... sometimes its what missing that counts, like the Masamune will simply go by his name, but something like "Shitahara Masamune" will include school's name. Its rather cryptic and requires significant experience to understand. With a rather basic signed blade 90% chance they will copy the signature as they see it, ... in places they can't read, and say its authentic. Is it worth it is a question to someone willing to spend... I would just use the same money and buy a second blade.

I'd start with your fingers... and if that's not working maybe a pair of pliers; but with a rag/towel between the metal of the pliers and the metal of the screw (so you don't scuff/scratch/stamp the sides of the screw with the plier tread) Hope that makes sense, Best to go slow and be careful, Cheers, -Sam *Edit: If all else fails, there might be a fellow NMB member from Vermont who could help out in-person.

both for 200 $ Stephen shipping free

Colonel field grade tassel is SOLD

Kawasaki Nagamitsu 川﨑長光 used a variant character for kawa 崎. It shows up on all his mei except for the shortened Nagamitsu 長光 forms. He was admitted to the Seki guild in 1941-0228. 濃州住川﨑長光作 Nōshū-jū Kawasaki Nagamitsu saku. 﨑 vs 崎

So all, I find this of interest. I thought that tagane-ato could not be punched deep into a cast iron tsuba. When I saw deep punch marks on the seppa-dia of a tsuba I figured that it could not be made from cast iron, otherwise the cast iron would split and break (cast iron being very brittle). Well, I was wrong (once again!). Below are pictures of an obviously cast iron tsuba with fairly deep tagane-ato punch marks! So, maybe if the cast iron tsuba was properly annealed, deeper looking punch marks could have been made in the seppa-dai? Anyway, just a thought! Further, what is interesting about this somewhat "delicate looking motif" sukashi tsuba, is that there is no need for conducting noninvasive metallurgical testing to determine that this tsuba is definitely made from cast iron! The adventure continues, With respect, Dan

Hello all. I purchased this rather nice tanto from Japan. That being said, the Mei is "Kanekado". As far as the signature being real, who knows. As a sceptic, I tend to think their gimei until proven otherwise. I know these pics give only a limited point of view, but any guesses on how old the blade MAY be? IF the Mei is real, I found Koto, Edo period and modern swordsmiths with this name. I know very little about tantos, other than the basics. Thank you. Henry

Explanations begin at Juyo level. Till then the paper says sort of "its signed ... Its genuine". ... can be incomplete signature. were it really old they would maybe also say like "Muromachi".

John summed it up pretty well. The fittings all appear to be newer, but assembled nicely. Nice little tanto. Enjoy!

thank you so much Moriyama san!!!!!!!!!! a rare find!

I had some issues with him as well. He got angry because I was requesting additional pics of a wakizashi. Called me all kinds of names and told me to buy a rope and use it. Really nice guy. lol

BTW, the date on the newspaper is November 1938.

Listing this one on behalf of a good friend, and one who tries to only buy healthiest and most fault-free swords he can find. This is a very healthy, ubu, mounted katana by the famous Jojo-saku Shinto Horikawa school smith Dewa Daijo Kunimichi. The blade has a long nagasa of 71.8cm / 28.3" and a perfect nakago with clear mei. In high quality Japanese polish, two piece gold foil habaki, shirasaya and a nice koshirae with Soten style fuchigashira and menuki having a samurai theme. Being sold for $8k + shipping and PayPal. This is an excellent price for such a high quality, healthy and mounted Kunimichi in koshirae. On hold.

Hi Tarquin, This book: https://www.Japanese...-by-joly-with-index/ and this one: https://www.Japanese...fittings-by-fukushi/ Grey

Yoshichika, September 1944

Yes the kanji 品 can have several possible pronunciations (shina, kazu, nori, etc.). I use the word pronunciations here instead of "readings" because it can be confusing. How you pronounce 品 isn't the problem here. The problem is that the name, 兼品, doesn't show up in the usual swordsmith indexes. So I suspect the name on the sword isn't actually 兼品, but something that looks confusingly similar. Maybe 兼邑 or 兼別 or 兼命 or something like that. It's hard to determine what that second kanji is, because its not inscribed very clearly. In 1951, which is the date on the registration card, the NBTHK was just a couple of years old, and they may well have made a mistake in thinking this 2nd kanji was 品. They would have been looking at a huge volume of swords and would have had very little time to research each sword.

Tsuba was made by Manuel Corden It arrived yesterday in a box with personalised pouch What I liked was the flow of sukashi and evenness (but with natural variation) of the walls which has exceeded my expectations Surface is good along with the patina which is much darker than the images If you are interested in purchasing a tsuba, Manuel will discuss this with you and price accordingly He will also provide you with a design prior to starting the commission I've never met Manuel or receive any kickbacks (I thought someone may think I had a financial interest with such glowing feedback!) Commissioned utushi tsuba from: Haynes Gai So Shi Page 130 Yono naka ni, sake to sakura to,nakarisebaharuno omei wa, nozoke karamaji. 'if there was no saki and no cherry blossoms there would be no peaceful feeling in Spring, Mei: Bushu ju Akasaka Hikojuro saku 武州 住 赤坂 彦十郎 作 Hikojuro is from the Tadatoki group and either the 1st or 2nd master -------------------------------------------------------------------- Manuel cut the mei to my instruction with a little modification Front LH side = Hikojuro saku (Hikojuro saku) Front RH 武州 住 赤坂 (Bushu ju Akasaka) Rear LH side = Koden 古伝 Rear RH side = utsushi (homage tsuba, made) 寫 之

Thank you Grev for your review, it's always great for me recieving positive feedbacks from my customers, especially when they're long time collectors of antiques i take the liberty to post some better resolution pics of the tsuba

I'm at a loss. No such swordsmith (Kaneshina) appears in any of the obvious references. My gut feeling is that the original reading of Kaneshina may be wrong, and that the "shina" part is actually something else. But I can't tell what it might be. But I could be wrong. Stay tuned. Maybe somebody on the forum has a more comprehensive list of Nōshū swordsmiths. Nōshū is synonymous with Mino. Seki is the center of swordmaking in Nōshū/Mino province. Kanbun is also a safe bet for this sword.

My condolences to family & friends.

Ron et al., here's some Amahide for comparison:

As far as I know, Mantetsu are water quenched.The picture is a PR photo from the Mantetsu Corp. from when they promoted their new sword making facility.