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Edo period Kabuto and Menpo The Hachi on this set is lacquered leather. It was often commissioned by older men who could not wear an iron Kabuto for long periods of time. The Menpo is signed and made of iron. The noble face or expression on the Menpo was often favored by older men as well. A leather bowl could repel sword strikes as well as iron ones. Many thanks to Nick Ricupero for selling this to me.

Just picked this up - the photos are from the seller. I thought it was an interesting example of a wabi/chanoyu aesthetic in a tsuba. Anyone else have one which falls into this category, or thoughts on it?

Just above the logo of Takashimaya, there is a description about another exhibition. 第2回平櫛田中賞受賞記念　堀川恭彫刻展 – Exhibition of Horikawa Yasushi’s sculpture in commemoration of his winning of the 2nd Hirakushi Denchu Award Horikawa Yasushi won the 2nd Hirakushi Denchu Award in 1973. So, I guess the exhibition was held there in 1973. BTW, the 3rd of June was Sunday in the following years. 1973, 1979, 1984, 1990, 2001, 2007, 2012, 2018

This appears to be one of the immediate post war souvenir swords assembled from real parts.

They are mirror images. 京透 – Kyo sukashi 桐繁透鐔 – Paulownia-rich sukashi tsuba 丸形鉄地透彫 – Marugata, tetsuji, sukashibori 無銘 - Mumei 昭和丗六年夏日 – Showa 36th year (1961), a summer day 寒山誌 – Kanzan wrote

Dan: I don't think it's the only way of determining whether something is cast, since usually the subsequent clean-up on a casting has not been done to the level we were discussing, or the casting contains obvious flaws, and it's pretty obviously cast. But if someone really had subsequently worked a high quality casting to the point that all casting marks and characteristics had been removed, then you'd have to know more about the specific metallurgy of irons used for casting versus forging at that time, as well as what chemical changes (for instance, carbon content changes) occurred as a result of forging. I've seen information on this from people who are expert metallurgists... which I am not :-) Robert S

And another jump to conclusions, before using the calling fake card one needs the rest of the story

Hi Robert, I don’t know about the wabi aesthetics, but I like your tsuba! My kind of tsuba, old and rusted (like a majority of my tsuba in my collection of about 150 of them). I don’t bother much cleaning them up. If I wanted an Edo period tsuba that looks perfect, I would just go ahead and buy one. But I would have to spend a lot more money for it (and I can’t afford that!). Enjoy and continue to learn from your very nice tsuba (and I know calling your tsuba very nice is just my opinon -others may disagree). With respect, Dan

Although the logo at the bottom (and the entire advert) seems to be for Nihombashi Takashimaya (日本橋高島屋), which still exists today (https://www.takashimaya.co.jp/nihombashi/). Nihombashi Takashimaya is a department store. The sword advert refers to an Exhibition and Sale of Art Swords (美術刀剣展示即売会) which took place in that department store on Sunday (日) 3rd of June (6月3日). Unfortunately, it doesn't list the year in the advert. However, I had a quick search and it seems that the 3rd of June was a Sunday in 1989, so this may be the year of the newspaper, when the event took place, and when your tsuba was offered for sale.

I've done casting, and good castings can definitely be smoothed and fine tuned to the point that they would look (and practically are) carved. However, poor castings would still have micro flaws which would be evident, and clearly different types of flaws than forged iron. So it depends on the skill of the caster. The metal would still be significantly different in microstructure and/or chemistry, but you'd be unlikely to know without destructive testing (not recommended :-) ), unless you have access to some pretty sophisticated equipment.

Oh I missed that… Let me ask you some questions… What about the “desire” to own then ? What about the desire to collect, amass even? Is it not the most selfish thing to do? Have you not succumbed to your desires when you took all these “art” swords out of Japan? Is this not, in itself, a significant threat posed with respect to preservation? I mean, what will happen to all these master pieces you guys seem to possess, when you die?? Would they not be better off with the Japanese, where it’s much more likely that they can find knowledgeable owners or caretakers? I personally think that in the rest of the world, there is a very high probability that our swords will end up badly after we die. And even if say, you write a testament to instruct that all your blades go to a museum after your passing, there is absolutely no guarantee that they will be treated well and that they will not end up rusting in the basement… I, for one, decided to just get an authentic, genuine sword from a period of Japanese history that I find fascinating. That’s it. It will stop there. And it happens to be closer to kazuuchi mono than it is chumon uchi. I hope that you guys realize that I’m playing devil’s advocate here… and that I do not think that everyone here owning art swords, Juyo token and what not, are dumb or should be ashamed for putting these treasures at risk. But I also feel like for a lot of people it’s much, much easier, to question others’ opinions and views than their own…

According to google app, the top pic describes the maker, style, and other details of the pictured tsuba. The large logo on the bottom right may be Nihonbashi Takashimaya, with store hours. John C.

Not exactly the subject but I finished my katana hako, I made it in paulownia wood and used that beautiful hardware https://cabinet-hard...q=peony&_ss=e&_v=1.0 Again it's not perfect as I don't have professionnal tool nor technique but making it was very pleasant and cheaper than buying a new one.

This may be interesting and fun! So, how about sharing pictures of Edo period water kettles with some amazing motifs? I found this one described below (pictures attached). “Rare Signed Edo Period Japanese Iron Tetsubin Tea Kettle! This wonderful early Japanese iron kettle is decorated with relief leaves and berries around the body and on the lid, the lid having a figural berry finial. It is signed with a three character mark to the right of the spout. It dates from the Edo period and measures approximately 8 + 5/8 inche tall to the top of the handle (4 + ¼ to the rim of the lid) by 8 inches across including the spout. It is in excellent condition with a rich patina, as can be seen in the photos.” From this website- https://www.worthpoi...nese-iron-1809543934

Hi, I was browsing today on one of the auction sites and found this piece, the seller usually sells knives (lately Japanese kitchen knives) and wet stones, but recentl offered Japanese scroll with block print, a nice looking jingasa that is still up for auction and few tsuba, granted most of them are obvious casts, and very bad ones, but 2 or 3 look genuine, auction started from zero and i just said what the heck, plopped the number i would be willing to go for, I was byuing some collectible ammunition anyway, and won it, for about 40 dollars, maybye less (conversion is a bitch ) And since my first tsuba are still in Japan with my sword, I was kinda feeling like getting something along the way so here it is. Seller states Edo and that it is original nothing else, seems like estate sale or something but anyway I humbly ask the knowledgable scholars here if thay would be so kind to help me with at least identifying what I got myself into or if I made a missstep. Photos here are from the auction site, I will have the piece in hand probably later next week. To me it looks rough, but from what I had observed in the past year or so, i came across one or two tsuba that had similiar or nearidentical trees, that is why i decided to go for it, but that is just my amateur opinion so far, any input will be appreciated, thanks everyone. M.P.

Thank you for your help

William, Here’s a link to @Bruce Pennington’s article about the souvenir swords if you want to learn more.

now we can see the tang, i agree it is a Kanehisa showato blade

Sabi [サビ] - Shabby ? Hey it comes from Hiroshima!

Hi guys, found this at the bottom of a tsuba box and it appears to show the tsuba i bought in that add. could the there be a date? or shop name. big thanks to everyone for help. regards H

The numbers aren't serials as you would expect, starting at 1 upwards. They are more identifying numbers to keep all the fittings together. There would be no sequential count showing where this one fits in the sequence. No-one knows the production figures of these. They were likely made in local forges. Maybe by locals making them for the Japanese that didn't have supplies of new swords. Probably oil quenched and forged in rudimentary forges would be my guess.

Converting a tsuba to a netsuke would make a pretty heavy netsuke!

Sungashi hairu - suganashi is in the hamon

For the hamon, as you say, suguba, then I think: 砂流-へる - tsunagashii heru. I’m in guessing territory here though and I’m sure I’ll be corrected soon.

Its an interesting point. As far as I aware there were no strict restrictions on sword length for samurai aside specific duties, though there were consistent practices and wearing a much longer blade could be uncomfortable. Yes, wearing a sword was the act which was being regulated, to the point it has been for a time a legal question whether it can also be done by an aristocrat and whether this implies a strictly inheritable "blood right" or one can be bestowed on a personal basis with the right to wear swords in regular life. Which was the highest honor since wearing one to a procession can be done by anyone who was by nature of position held was part of the procession of sword-wielders. Obviously shops (polishers, but most importantly pawn brokers) could own blades and armor despite being of lower class. However, their ownership had to be on a temporary basis - and this has been specifically noted at times, as holding onto blades and armor long term deprived the realm from protection. Generally with a few notable exceptions a non-samurai should not have permanently owned a daito. Naginata, yari and wakizashi were indeed appropriate. In regards who owned good swords of today - these are ex-Daimyo blades with little doubt to that. Tradition dictates that when a family sells a blade it is a deeply shameful act (never mind even such horror as potentially going to a foreigner) and any possible connection allowing it to be traced back is severed. Sayagaki sanded, the name is scratched off the storage boxes, even early NBTHK papers which had submitter's name would have it covered with ink. Its not unique to Japan, in fact such behavior is common. Edo society on paper was exceptionally stratified and formal. It was also very moralistic in a sense that everything was addressed not through the letter of the law, but in a sense "does it satisfy the moral requirements?". Owning something above your station was either outright prohibited or very much socially questionable. For example, selling swords abroad was generally illegal, but even selling items of iron was seen as inappropriate - since iron is a manly, warlike material and for a foreigner soft metal objects are more appropriate. I often state the idea that European, Middle Eastern (Judeo-Islamic) and East Asian legal basis are actually completely different in nature. European explicitly implies a contest between individuals that needs to be resolved; Judaic implies a clear, divine postulate from which lesser laws are derived in a very formal fashion, while East Asian societies are generally based on status-quo (i.e. proving that something was always done is the best court argument) and morality (i.e. proving that something is "good" is also a court-worthy argument); East Asian formal laws are by comparison sparsely covering all possible situations, seldom form proper codex, and they are often interpreted "in spirit" rather than "as letter".

For the boshi, maybe hakikete kaeru? 掃けて返る Indicating a brushed effect to the turn back.

Hi Peter, To get things going: 板目流れる - Itame nagareru, flowing itame.

大澤兼久 – Osawa Kanehisa One of WWII smiths in Seki.

I don't always acquire a book to learn something new - it can just be about appreciating the artistry and craftsmanship in these blades thru a unique presentation, such as the foldout large images included in Paul's book, even though I may have seen those blades before...

One a second thought I like it also haha y

Safe to say it's not Japanese, and was made yesterday.

I would love to assist in your experiments but the thought of actually doing that with a piece of history makes me feel physical pain...

Benjamin, you cannot increase the density of a metal with mechanical methods. The density of steel is always 7,85, and very small variation would only be possible by using special alloying metals like tungsten or cobalt. In theory, large quantities of a lighter metal like titanium would make the steel less dense, but that would show only in the last figures. Just to mention it, intense hammering does not make the steel harder....

Just my two cents here. Different smith, different blades. Different times, different shape, different designs may ALL lead to Different Weights. I have always been told to take the sword in hand and hold it out, no matter what the weight it should feel balanced. I have held both light blades and very heavy blades and if they don’t balance you feel it right away. I know this doesn’t necessarily answer your question but like I said just my two cents. Look forward to more answers. MikeR

Hi. We have installed a display of wood blocks, netsuke, okimono and inro at the Japanese Consulate, Melbourne. It will be in place until mid January. Public are welcome to view.

Participating in the damaging of an antique Japanese sword, is not the way to show your respects to Japanese swordsmanship or culture. Quite the opposite. In my opinion, it's simple as that. -Sam

I am not a master but I would make you a Tsuba.

https://www.bonhams....0503/lot/1062/tsuba/ Auction held 16 October 2012 Estimate US$1,500 - US$2,000 To be "fair" this was amongst around eighty "real" tsuba in the auction. However when you see other auction sites selling the same rubbish for ¥ 3,500 https://page.auction.../auction/g1101034296 you have to wonder if the big auction houses are/were doing their duty of care!

Question, if tsuba were made from cast iron in the Edo period, could they be abraded to appear smooth (as if they were hand forged)? I was going to try this with my sand cast bottle opener I bought from Japan. I refer you to page 8 of my “Tsuba casting molds?” thread (that would be November 18th, 2022). But that bottle opener was just too nice to ruin it by sanding it. But I still use it to open bottles of beer (I think I will have one after I post this because my arm is tired from sanding!) So, today’s experiment is to see if a piece of sand cast cast-iron can be abraded to appear smooth. Pictures of the experiment are included below. From the internet- “A proprietary mix of molten pig iron, steel and other ingredients are poured into a mold made of sand. Since sand melts at a higher temperature than iron, the mold holds its shape. Once the cast iron pan or pot has cooled, the sand mold is broken, leaving behind a brand-new piece of cast iron cookware.” So, we know that a cast iron skillet is sand cast. And yes, I looked at videos on You Tube to make sure that is how it is done. I bought a cast iron skillet at Walmart. Only cost $8.00 U.S., so it was a great price! I had some #60 grit sandpaper, and I went to work sanding a small part of the back of the skillet by hand (no power tools used!). It took about an hour and a half, and I concentrated on an area on the back side of the skillet that was about 3 inches by 1 ¾ inches. It smoothed out nicely and the results can be seen below. So, what did this experiment prove? Well, firstly, that I am an old retired guy with nothing better to do but to sand a cast iron skillet! And we all know that rough metal can be abraded to get it smooth. So, I proved nothing! Not really, just kidding! I will use these pictures in the future to compare the surface texture of tsuba that I may purchase to the surface texture of my abraded cast iron skillet. If they appear to be a close match, the odds that the tsuba is made from cast iron are pretty good! Anyway, the good news is that I can still use the skillet to cook with. Even though I tried to use a large sledgehammer (several times!) to break off the handle to show some members what a broken piece of cast iron looks like. Several members have stated in the past that cast iron is very brittle and will break when hit. Not my cast iron skillet! Onward!

The mass of the steel remains the same, but the weight of a sword depends on its sugata and the number of polishings it has received; thickening stones have not yet been invented.

As long as its special strength superglue and the number is doubled by chiseling across the plate - everything is fine.

but instead sabi...