davidian

On closer inspection, I guess that it is possible that the eBay version is a cast copy of Henry's, although that seems like a mighty big coincidence.

Hi all: Perhaps this eBay auction sheds some light on the kozuka in question: http://cgi.ebay.com/4124-J-P-Samurai-sword-Edo-Kachimushi-zu-Signed-Kozuka-/220835277853?pt=Asian_Antiques&hash=item336aceec1d#ht_1766wt_1398. The two kozukas seem to be identical, down to the smallest details, except for the finish. I assume that they are both cast copies of something, with different coatings. No doubt the original was even more attractive! Regards,

Actually, there is nothing like buying a piece to get one interested in researching - in some ways a cheaper piece is a safer way to do this, because you don't risk as much. And once you do start looking hard, so that you can find out where your piece stands in the field, you may find your taste changing. You might even find that you have a taste for pieces that are not held in high regard by the constituted authorities (whose claim to authority may rest on shaky ground anyway)! Collections like the MFA's are a good way to see the best and form a taste. I strongly doubt that any of the shows will have many pieces that can stand with the stuff they have. If you are going to invest in a trip - go look over a major collection, and don't buy anything expensive until you are sure that you know what's what and what you like. Good luck.

I recommend the MFA in Boston; they have a very large and searchable collection with excellent images that can be zoomed. For example, by searching on "menuki" you get: http://www.mfa.org/search/collections?keyword=menuki&page=1&rows=64. Their tsuba collection is awesome. Of course, after you look at the MFA stuff most of eBay offerings won't look so great, but at least you will know what you could get if you save up your money. Regards,

Hi all: I can't comment on the SF show, but there can be no question that the tsubas shown previously in this string are cast copies of something. Not necessarily fakes per se, but definitely not originals. As for what an "original" might have looked like, so far I have found this example:http://sanmei.com/contents/media/tuba_guard132S.htm. Although it is not quite the same design, it has stylistic similarities to the cast copies that are the subject of this string. Of course, I am not certain that it isn't itself a cast copy of something, but it appears to have been worked, and at least there don't seem to be numberless examples of it floating around. Best regards,

And here is yet another, this time very obviously painted: http://cgi.ebay.com/TSUBA-KANTON-TSUBA-dragon-Edo-iron-de120-/350482443447?pt=Asian_Antiques&hash=item519a61acb7#ht_4420wt_927. There must have been a great many of these run off. Still, I wonder what the original looked (or looks) like? Best regards,

I am wondering if anyone has any insights, or opinions, on something that I have noticed. Items up for auction on eBay can also be found on Japanese auction sites (at least on Bidders where I have found them). I will not name any names, but more than one seller has put the same item(s) up simultaneously, and received bids on both, using names that are sometimes similar, sometimes completely different. Presumably one or the other offer must be withdrawn before the auctions end, but I haven't checked. In general the ask is a lot lower on the Japanese site, and the items are not trash. And while I'm at it, does anyone have any advice on how to bid on the Japanese auctions? I don't read Japanese, the translation sites aren't much help, and I am not inclined to experiment without more information. But there is a lot of tempting stuff there. Best regards

Hi Elliott: The plot thickens. I agree that having multiple examples in hand to study would advance things, but I don't have any of them. The issue of casting is the subject of a long string elsewhere on the NMB: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10717 From that discussion I get an impression of immense confusion. There is so much to learn. Best, DM

I think the example posted above by David Stiles clinches it: they are all cast copies. The Stiles example can be compared in detail with Elliot's (http://www.shibuiswords.com/namban3.htm) and they are precisely the same. For example look at the wear on the surround of the pearl or jewel at ~11 o'clock: the same defect is present in both. I am not sure that it is fair to call these "fakes". Copies for sure, but quite possibly not meant to deceive. At any rate, Elliot there is no way that yours is "Late Muromachi/early Momoyama" as your web site implies. The design maybe, but not these tsubas. Regards to all,

This post relates to one on this forum from May 12. I noticed this tsuba for sale on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250855735582&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_5001wt_1398. It struck me as very similar to one I seen in my wanderings, which is here: http://www.shibuiswords.com/namban3.htm. Allowing for differences in photo angles, and the rough condition of the eBay version, still I cannot find any tiny detail in which the two differ; a casting seam is visible in neither. Both are similar to the tsuba posted at the end of the May 12 thread, although in that case the photo is not so clear and there may be differences. The first two are attributed by their respective vendors to early Edo and Muromachi. I am guessing either that one is a very faithful copy of the other, or that both (and perhaps all three) are copies of something else. Any comments? Regards from a newcomer, David Martin