raiden

pete, it is call a kiwa mei, or attribution signature. Similiar were done by I believe the Yokoya school as well. mike

more pics and other new items will be posted on tetsugendo.com, many new items that are interesting for study will be posted soon.

Rare signed mainline Goto tsuba. Tsuba from the mainline Goto School are very rare, signed examples are even more so. The Goto family was very strict, even having their own masters left to do the appraisal of previous generations. Goto Mitsutaka (enjo) was the 13th master, and was known as one of the best for judging on previous masterworks. This tsuba made of top grade shakudo, has the design of solid gold tigers made by Goto Renjo (10th master). Mitsutaka remounted the tigers on this tsuba (which was very common for top pieces in the Goto family), the tsuba is made by Mitsutaka , his skill was considered as good as Joshin and even the 1st master Yujo. The front is all super fine shakudo nanako, even the edge of the gold rim is done in nanako in a technique that only a true master could do , much less even attempt (How he could do this without damaging the rimwork is beyond me). The back is a beautiful shakudo migaki ji (Mirror smooth) with the design of Bamboo carved in Katakiribori. This technique was proven to be popular by the Yokoya School, but Mitsutaka wanted to show that he could do this style as well as anyone. All in all a very excellent tsuba, and a must for Goto collectors, or someone that wants only 1 solid example for their collection. The signature reads “Mon Renjo” / Mitsutaka (Kao) “. This means that the main subject was made by Goto Renjo, and the tsuba and remounting was done by Mitsutaka. If the signature read “ Renjo Saku” / Mitsutaka (Kao), then this would mean that Goto Renjo made the whole item, and was judged by Mitsutaka to be the work of Renjo. The Goto Masters that did the attributions, knew all of the secret marks, as well as had access to the records kept within the family, passed down to each master. Edo

damn I have great arms!

Brian, I'll be busy working on the nbthk Goto lecture stuff, so e-mail me if I forget to post the explanation. Mike

last post also Hikozo , I love new toys!

To All, I forgot to mention the tokubesu hozon paper list the subject as "Namako Sukashi tsuba or sea cucumber design. This design when done in the main early Higho School was done by Hikozo or Musashi. But more a definition of refinement to decide who made it. Teacher student syndrome

your kozuka reads mon jujo / mitsutaka (kao) The main subject was made by Jujo, then remounted by Mitsutaka the 13th master.

5 tagane on each side is usually designated as Hikozo the 1st or early 2nd. The texture is excellently done, creating the effect of wood grain with their gorgeous "do" patina. The slight resmblance of a rim along with the namako hitsu is usually Hirata, Hikozo, or if more unrefined sometimes Musashi. Kanshiro usually did not work with this type of metal too often, but rather in a type of shinchu based metal. Kanshiro like Hikozo were masters in coloring metals, so at times a Kanshiro might appear to be copper based, but is actually brass based but colored to look like copper based metalwork.Tokubetsu Hozon Hikozo I will not have too much time to answer questions, so please study about these points.

Here you go Brian

Thanks Brian, I can see at the bottom it says "Mike Y", I guess that is not good enough for some folks. I will wait a bit for some ideas before posting the mini sermon. Mike Yamasaki

ideas? if this type of topic is felt to be unsuitable for this forum, I will stop posting. M. Yamasaki

I just checked my profile and it shows to add my real name, but yet it doesn't any idea on a fix? any thoughts on the tsuba guys? Chris?

Sorry Chris I thought you knew it was me as I have posted with my name before, not sure how to add my name - it used to say iot but now it doesn't Mike Yamasaki Was posting items for educational purposes, not for gossip.

Rare tsuba by Goto Mitsutaka / Mon Renjo

one other thing for all to consider, is that I have never seen anyone from the NBTHK "throw rocks" at any other group including the NTHK when it went through its strange split syndrome.......I believe that these things do the hobby no justice at all, but there are those out there with ulterior motives that hurt the growth of Japanese swords around the world.

C Bowen, Well if you know when and who exactly will be prosecuted for sure, I would really like to know who you mean by having you post that info on this thread.

I heard about this since it came out while I was in Japan, but it seems that there are only a few people alive from that time that even "might" know about this. From what i heard, there will most likely be no prosecutions as there really isn't anyone left alive to prosecute. But the world seems to love drama, and as Guido says, the police have to at least look into the situation once it has been reported. Just like how I remember something about a Umetada Myoju sword and Mr. "e" of the NTHK..........and I am also a long time NTHK member even having studied under Yoshikawa sensei a while ago when there was only 1 NTHK group.

Curran, Was the package shipped directly to the NBTHK, or an acting agent? And was there an accompanied invoice stating that the items were to be sent for evaluation by the NBTHK then to be returned back to the US after the service was finished? As far as your Kantei skills go, I really have no opinion as I have never seen you truly tested, one day attend my lecture at Chicago or San Francisco and I will hold a session like what i do for the local guys or like what i do for Chicago show at times. I assume that you are a member of the NBTHK, therefore I am willing to try to help you in this situation. Mike

To Curran/All, Just a quick note, we send items to Japan for the shinsa on a regular basis and have had no issues (knock on wood) even up to this date in which even a few weeks ago our lot was sent and arrived safely in Japan for this coming shinsa, and for the previous month for this years Juyo shinsa.We submit on the average 50-80 pieces of sword fittings a year not counting blades. We also use the USPS express mail service and find it quite reliable believe it or not. Was your package marked returned goods and did you use USPS? Mike Yamasaki http://www.tetsugendo.com

There will be many people to help you with your sword at the show. Get several opinions, then you canmake the final decision. Mike

To All, I am sure the people of Japan will be very thankful, I wish that we could do more - I just shipped 212 diapers to a friend, and yesterday they announced that the water in tokyo isn't safe for infants.......my good friend just had a baby. Thank you all for participating. Mike Yamasaki http://www.tetsugendo.com

Guys, I have listed a tsuba on Ebay of which the proceeds after Ebay costs, will go to the either charity listed in the auctions description. Bid generously! Mike Yamasaki http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :MESELX:IT

His kanji is difficult to read as is common in the case of Satsuma kinko artist. He is listed in the Japanese kinko Jiten, Onoda Kei, from Satsuma no Kuni. Around Kansei/ Kyowa.

Hi All, in my own opinion, the Tampa show was very well attended and as far as I know, way better than those of previous years. Al did a very good job, and most likely I will attend next year. My Ishiguro Koreyoshi (pics posted by Cyrus) tsuba found a new home, and as well did several others. I am posting a new and rare tsuba that will find its way to our site (I really am trying not to be lazy these days but with 3 kids.....) Satsuma Kinko signed Sanehide. Satsuma soft metal pieces are very rare, but signed examples are even more scarce. Please at the very least use this for study. Mike Yamasaki