Mark T

:D ... so the reason I'm not sure the element in the tsuba is a gotoku is that it's wider at the top than the base ...

Hi Ford, I think that gotoku are usually used the other way up - the wider section forms the base, with the 'ring' section providing even weight distribution in the furo (or irori, or hibachi). The three 'feet'-looking tabs, pointing upwards, are able to accept different sizes of chagama, and the design allows for the rounded base of the chagama to sit lower than the top of the gotoku, and closer to the charcoal.

Thanks for those replies. No need to be apologetic - I didn't purchase it! Back to the original questions: do we have other examples of suza gata tsuba, and would they have actually been used, or just used for display? Cheers, Mark T

I saw this sell on eBay recently: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... NA:AU:1123 (Pics attached) Questions: 1. Would a tsuba of this size, shape, and construction (eg, the handle of the suzu) have actually been used, or been for decoration/display? 2. Do we know of other suzu gata tsuba? Thank you for whatever reflections you can offer, Mark T

Hi all, Just wondering if anyone can tell me anything about this tsuba: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Tsuba-Asceti ... 3cc2284618 Specifically, I'm interested in your evaluation of its condition, execution, and starting price compared to similar pieces. However, I'm happy to hear any reflections at all ... as a newbie, it will all be valuable - and valued! So, feel free to be as entry-level, and as thorough, as you like! Much appreciation in advance, Mark T

Hotei's sack is known as 'Nunobukuro'. More on both here at the irrepressible Mark Schumacher's site: http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/hotei.shtml Back on topic: thanks for the lead, Curtis. Will pick up a copy. Cheers, Mark T

Hi all, Just wondering if anyone has any experience in dealing with eBay seller 'hitendo' (Yasukazu Onishi): http://www.ebay.com/sch/hitendo/m.html?_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1 Alternatively, I'd be interested to hear what you think about the pieces listed there - quality, price, and so on. If anyone has any negative comments and is reluctant to air these publicly, I'm happy to receive them via PM. Thanks in advance for your help, Mark T

Here's a second vote for Gixen. It's free and reliable.

Apologies for the thread necro, but just to keep this discussion in one place: Some years ago, a beginner student in our dojo asked a visiting Japanese sensei how to grip, given that they were left-handed. His response: 'Same grip'. Unperturbed, the student asked, 'But what did left-handed samurai do?', to which the sensei thundered: 'There were no left-handed samurai ... We killed them all!' Only after a moment's pause did he let a wry smile cross his face ... Most left-handed kendoka, iaidoka, and aikidoka I have met confirm my own experience, and what someone posted above: being left-handed, but using the 'standard' grip is an advantage, as it's the left hand that does the 'power' work; also, if the sword needs to be used one-handed, the stronger left arm is better suited to being closer to the end of the tsuka, and the weaker right hand is better placed closer to the tsuba. Mark T