Rodenbacher

Honestly, I don't know...

It's a bit difficult to see the three layer construction here, I guess

I mean the Momoyama and Muromachi period, later in the Edo period the depiction of mussels etc. became more realistic. (But there are exceptions, as always...)

I don't think so. As you can see on the one side of my Tsuba, it was unusual but not completely impossible to depict a single duck. I can't see any proof of a diving duck in your Tsuba. The other shapes shown there are depictions of clams, shells and mussels. A very common topic at this period for describing a seashore, like at this one here:

An unaltered Muromachi or Momoyama period San Mai Tsuba.

Here is my very similar San Mai Tsuba with a pair of ducks on one side. On the other side there is only a single duck shown. Also note the rather worn gilding at this one.

This forum is so helpful - anytime I come here, I learn something new! Thanks!!!

The ghost like figure depicts a traditional rain cloak. Together with the hats and the bottle made from a gourd it has something to do with wandering around, maybe wandering monks.

Another forum member pointed out to me that the material of the tsuba is not bronze at all, but Yamagane. That is of course correct, that was my mistake. The patina of the tsuba is so dark that it is actually very similar to bronze. So it is not a Kagamishi tsuba either, but an early Kinko piece.

Andrew, according to the forum rules you have to tell a price for the things you sell.

I forgot to mention that this Tsuba once was discussed here on NMB:

I bought this some years ago from another NMB-member: Kyo Sukashi tsuba with design of three kiri mon. EUR 470.00 obo A nice and very big Kyo sukashi tsuba, nice iron, with a much sought-after design. You can find granular tekkotsu in the kaku mimi. Dimensions are: 8.6 cm x 8.57 cm x 0.52 cm

Nice little bronze Tsuba with a charming motif of chinese philosopher Zhuang Zhou dreaming to be a butterfly- When he woke up he asked himself: "am I a human being who dreamed to be a butterfly or am I a butterfly currently dreaming to be a human being?" Signed Yasuharu (there are many Yasuharus in Haynes' Index) 6,6 x 6,3cm, in perfect condition, never mounted. Hammered surface, quite heavy for it's small size 250,- Euro plus PayPal and shipping

I think this Tsuba is mocking the complicated hand guards of European Rapiers. I think for a Samurai these must have been very exotic and maybe funny objects. I add some pics of such swords I saw in Italy. Just imagine that you are used to a very plain handguard design as a Tsuba, which is basically a simple disc - and then you see foreigners with such complicated cage-like constructions on their sword. In my opinion this Tsuba is a reflection of an encounter with such an European style.

A sword with a history, nothing wrong with that.

Hello Steve, your pictures are showing the Tsuka, not the Nakago. The Nakago ist the unpolished part of the blade that is concealed by the hilt: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_Japanese_swords

Easter discount: 300,- Euro

Easter discount: 450,- Euro

This is massive bronze, not a Sanmai-Tsuba. Very nice patination.

A very well preserved bronze Tsuba decorated with shells. Height 6,8cm, thickness 3,4mm, a heavy little fellow. Some scratches on the backside, see photos. Remnants of black lacquer at the mimi 350,- Euro including shipping in the EU, other countries please inquire. PayPal F&F or bank wire transfer.

The second one.

A very fine made pair of Menuki showing two Lobsters. Copper with mixed metal inlay, unsigned, late Edo period. I don't know why the losters are decorated with soething, maybe this is a special meal or some festival? Anyway, a nice pair in perfect condiion. Come with a Kiri box and Aoi estimation Paper. Length 1 : 4.09 cm x 1.52 cm (1.61 inches x 0.59 inches) Length 2 : 4.01 cm x 1.52 cm ( 1.57 inches x 0.59 inches) 500,- Euro including shipping in Europe, other countries please inquire. PayPal F&F or bank wire transfer.