CurtisR

Thank you to Keith and Matt! O.k., so I wasn't seeing things off-kilter! I thought perhaps Tachi but then the apparent age (or lack of it) made me think Edo period, although they still wore Tachi then. I knew that if it was gendai, it was really good work in detail and overall theme, as well as the metals it's composed of. Now all I have to do it 1) find it and 2) buy it with $$ I don't have lol. I'm glad that you enjoyed it Morita-san and thanks for finding it for me... I will now go to a corner and lament not having $15k to buy it . Ah well, at least I was correct in the age estimate! Curtis

Good Afternoon all ~ I found this photo on a website, but no other info. could be found of it. I have yet to decipher the mei yet, but I'll guess mid to late Edo period? If anyone knows where I might find more info. on this tsuba, or who it belongs to now I would really appreciate it. I'd like to see if it's for sale, etc. . And if no one knows, at least it's an interesting piece :D . Thanks in advance, Curtis R.

As a side-note, it seems to be important if the hi stop before the yokote, or continue into it, as the example you've posted does. Apparently (from my readings) it's less common for them to end before the yokote and indicates the age and possibly the school. Hmmmmm....gotta love a mystery! Curtis R.

Very interesting analysis Darcy - thank you for looking into it with such detail (seems like you've run into this at an earlier date as well ) ...so far it has been very hard to pin down a maker, but it's a lot of fun & I'm learning a lot by getting opinions and in doing my own comparisons. I will look up the work of Shimada-san ...it's a place to start and compare! A very well-respected person in the sword world told me that he believes it is o-suriage, and has many attributes that point toward muromachi (clearly a koto blade, and as I look at his examples I see them...progress! lol) - As I find more info. I'll certainly post, and anyone with a (reasonable) opinion please feel free to comment. Sadly it looks as though I can't get it to Shinsa until 2016 and am NOT sending off to Japan to go through the hassels it demands. Thanks again and more to follow! Curtis R.

Well, I think I found an image that confirms the suspicion...the Ayu fish! Thanks again for everyone's help - now I have solid info. on them for the collection :D .

Nice find, Chris! I'll keep watching for developments. I now see what you've spoken about as far as quality goes, and being able to make a transaction without selling one's soul . Curtis R.

Awesome info. Garbriel - thank you Sir! I've printed off this post for my ref's later! Cheers, Curtis R.

Thanks Gabriel! I got all but the "Noshu" and "Kuri" in Kuriyama...took a while but getting there :D . Thanks again. Just and FYI, I do not own the sword, and don't know if it's for sale (but knowing the owner, I doubt it lol). Curtis R.

A few more.....

But I thought it might be interesting for those here...in a cloth "surrender" bag, but seems to be traditionally made (per the bottom 2 kanji and probably a decent hamon & hada if cleaneda nd a very crisp signature. Overall length is about 21" - I'm going to try to work the mei, so please if you post, only do the "spoiler" "just in case". The saya is typical gunto - I haven't researched the surrender-or or the officer who accepted it (just took these yesterday). Curtis R.

Ahhhhh a true mystery fish! Honestly it's odd to me as both omote & ura have 2 fish per side; as Jean said,they don't really look like a carp - more streamlined perhaps? It's very possible we'll never kniw what there little buggers are "supposed" to be, up to and including Barracuda . The koshirae they came with didn't really have any rhyme or reason, so no luck there either. Guess we may never know, but unless I get an amazing offer just for their uniqueness I'll just add them to the collection. Oh, and they're non-ferrous, BTW. Thanks for everyone's help and if I DO find out I'll post the answer asap! Curtis R.

You have a point Franco - the mouth is more like a cod's than a speedy river fish (that - from what I read - prefers to be solo & territorial). The Ayu is the closest thing so far, but you're right. Perhaps it's an imagined, stylized fish that the maker came up with. I'll name it "Area 51 fish" perhaps ? Curtis R.

Very nice Ludolph - thanks for posting! I'll look up the maker and perhaps gain some insight on time periods this theme was 'popular' (if that's even possible but hey, I'll try!). Curtis R.

Pretty much so, Dennis! I read about them last night and they've been a sport fish for a looooong time (wouldn't mind trying my luck on 'em heh-heh!). And they sound tasty. The article I read said that even the bones are easy to eat and taste good - although opinions are like, well, you know lol. I think we've successfully ID'd the little buggers, and thanks to you all again...even though they aren't masterpieces of goto work, I like the idea that they're not a subject commonly used in menuki . The work's not terrible but would have been really cool if the maker had spent some time giving them some scales or what not. Ahhhhh well - we rarely get it "all", right? Anyone who's delt with these little Ayu fishies, feel free to leave an opinion or stories of other's you ay have seen, and when they may have been popular as a subject. Curtis R.

Thank you Piers, I think you nailed it! The "Ayu"...here's a pic I found that really is close. I'll have to research 'em a bit to see their history relating to life in Japan, but I'm thinking it's dead-on? Curtis R.

Greetings all, I know that these tsuba are "average", and my guess so far would be Edo period but what's bugging me is what KIND of fish would these be? They don't look quite like Salmon, nor koi...is there another fish that was revered (or just 'liked') enough to warrant making them into tsuba? :? They came from a 'cobbled together' koshirae, so no help there ------ Any guesses? Thanks in advance, Curtis R.

The correct term is futasujihi 二筋樋; and as Matt already stated, if hi run through the nakago, it's called kakitoshi 掻通し. Can someone confirm my confirmation, please? I say that confirms it! LOL - thank you Sir! Curtis R.

Thank you Matt! Can someone confirm please? Curtis R.

Hello All, I know the name for the 'double bohi" is futatsuji, but when they run completely through the nakago, is there a special term for this sort of blade style? I've been looing though my ref. books but can't seem to find it. Any help would be appreciated! Sincerely, Curtis R.

Just a quick follow-up on this one...I've been comparing hamon and find that the one on my sword is very similar to those of the Shikkake school ---- I just found this similarity tonight while doing soem research, but it's very similar, as well as to the hamon shown here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=19338&p=173751&hilit=muromachi#p173751 ~~ I'm not well-versed enough to have the blade in front of me and to tell the difference between them, btu they're similar . I also re-read my post and sorry if I confused anyone...the blade came from friend in West Virginia who I was in the 82nd Airborne with about 30 yrs. ago. Just asked him if he'd seen any swords around and he said "yep - one"...it'd been kept in a fishing rod tube for years in a house "way back in the woods", given to my buddy by HIS friend, who's Dad got it from a guy who'd been in the USMC Pacific theater during WWII. Very odd where they show up - taught me that it never hurts to ask, either . Wish I knew more of the story on how it came to the states, but the original Vet has passed on. I'm also glad it was in the tube vs. the humidity of the W. VA mountains for all those years! Anyway, I'm still studying it until I send it off for shirasaya in a month or two. If I learn anything else I'll certainly post! Cheers, Curtis R.

Hi Nathan, Thanks for the comment on the blade - I'm very curious about it and still studying it (until shinsa comes, no doubt ha-ha). I wish it DID have decent mountings but as Marius re-stated, they were absolutely cobbled together. No tsuba at all, and the f/k with splotches of paint which appear to make some sort of pattern, but at least the mostly saya fits (although again, obviously re-shaped to fit the blade and paint splotches). It DOES have what looks to be an older, heavy & well-fitted copper habaki which I'll have saved in the shirasaya. It will be a month or two before I can get it to Mr. Tirado, but really look forward to that, Anyway, if I do find more info. about it I'll post it here for sure. Just shows that you never know what old duffers (he golfs better than I, however!) have laying in their garage (for a very decent price no less) I just got lucky but I'll take luck ANY day! Cheers all ~ Curtis R.

Many thanks to all! John T. has done 2 shirasaya for me in the past & he's amazing! As soon as I learn anything from Shinsa (supposedly not until 2016?) I will be very happy to pass the info. along!! thank you all for your wisdom and encouragement! Curtis R.

And Marius, I talked to John Tirado this morning...he's done a couple of Shirasaya for me and I compelyely agree it needs it. We're getting it all aarranged. The more I examine the blade, the more subtitles I fing. I will send to shinsa for sure :D . Sincerely, Curtis R.

Well said gentlemen - Shirasaya (and Shisa) it shall be! Curtis R.

Dear Mariuszk and George, Thanks very much for the clarification and added info. on my mumei blade. ~~ the more I examine it in comparison to your comments, they're dead on to something...cool eh? lol) I believe - after re-reading everyone's comments, and after looking at the options, I'm now debating on putting the blade into Shirasaya, or to go full-on with koshirae? I know folks who make beautiful versions of both...the koshirae will obviously cost more, but I plan on keeping it a long tine so the cost will even out over time. Next step is to get w/ M. Bowen and become a member . THEN to Shinsa (regardless), and hopefully figure out more concerning school or maker. Many thanks everyone and feel free to PM me or to post your possibilities or thoughts!! I'd also be happy to take any photos that might help or that you're curious about. Sincere Regards, Curt