myochin

Hello, Here is a picture of the tsuba you mention. I was surprised to see that the Higo koshirae (lot 327) went unsold AGAIN (it was also offered by Christie's in London last May. Can anyone comment on the possible reason why ? Paul.

Dear Michel, Here is the Christie's description: Creator EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY), WITH KAO Lot Title A Tanaka-School Tsuba Estimate 2,500 - 3,000 U.S. dollars Lot Description A Tanaka-School Tsuba Edo Period (19th Century), with kao Irregularly-shaped iron plate with a bronze ishime surface on the web, the rim raised and silvered on the inside edge in a stylized representation of a wave, the web designed with a large anchor encrusted with rust and coral, with seashells and flying sea birds and a silver-inlaid moon, the reverse with crashing waves in silver and gold and branches of coral in sunken relief 2 5/8in. (6.8cm.) Paul.

Ford, Please let me know if there was a catalogue published for your exhibition at the Birmingham museum. I would be interested to see more of your work. Thanks, Paul. PS: I had the chance to visit the storeroom at the Birmingham Museum a few years back to see their tsuba collection. Contacted the curator and she was very happy to oblige. A great experience !

Seems like I got in just a little too late ... Paul.

Hello Ford, I have the impression that this could be a modern piece (maybe of your own conception ??). What is nagging me is the nakago-ana: I have the definate feeling that this tsuba has never been mounted. Also, everything around the nakago-ana seems too new (has a polished-off feeling), definately no sign of there ever been any sekigane. This is a very nice tsuba, simply in design. The shape reminds me of the very early tsuba (kofun type - forgotten the exact name....). Paul.

Bonjour Jean, There was a Higo Uchigatana Koshirae for sale at Christie's Japanese Art and Design auction that took place in London last May 16th. The description is still available on their web site but there is no longer a picture. Not quite sure if I can post the picture here because of copyright/ownership problems. Paul.

Hello Martin, There was also a 2 part article on same subject also published by the JSSUS: Crosses and Christian Tsuba Brian Quinn JSSUS V33, N°4, June 2001 V33, N°5, August 2001 Paul.

Bonjour Jean, I contacted Jack at the NCJSC as I wanted to know if this edition is simply a re-print or an updated version. It seems, so far, to be only a reprint (with the exception of the odd picture re-scanned). According to their web site this publication should be available in July for around $30. Paul.

Dear Brian & Martin, Many thanks for your help. Those links worked a charm... once I had figured out to rename the downloaded file with an ".flv" extension. Paul.

Fantastic videos; thanks for sharing. Is there any way I can download these videos to my computer? Thanks, Paul.

Thanks for the write-up Richard. Interesting the note on Mitsuru Ito's background; I always find it interesting to know the "how" & "why" of an author. Paul.

Hello, The results may be viewed at: http://www.christies.com/auction/result ... no=NYC1811 (Make sure to copy & paste the whole link) Paul.

Hello John, Here is what I found in Layton's notebook (Sôken Kodôgu Yôgo): Tokin is the proper term to define electroplating (modern plating or gilding), also called mekki. Note that "modern" applies to the time of publication (after WW2). As for Kiniroe, for me it seems more like a term to define a colour (gold). Iroe by (Layton's) deifnition is a method of achieving a coloured effect by bringing coloured metals into a design or pattern. Paul.

Hello, I would say that this book is rare because, firstly, the Gallery has run out of stock and, secondly, is now closed. I purchased the last copies (amongst others) and they are going for the original price. Paul.

Many thanks Ichi. I have contacted them (hope I got the right e-mail address!!) and cross my fingers. Paul.

Hello Sencho, I live in France. If someone could provide me with the publisher's info then maybe I could contact them. Thanks, Paul.

Hello Sencho, Any idea where I can purchase a copy of this issue? Cheers, Paul.

Hello Martin, Hello to All, I am new to this forum and hope that my little contributions can be of some help. Sanmei.com have a nice little (and cheap) book that shows you, stage through stage, with nice pictures, on how to tie knots for your swords, sword bages and boxes. The book title is: Introduction to Japanese Swords through Pictures Paul.