ROKUJURO

Dale, I think you are correct. If one looks carefully, many small defects - probably from casting - are detectable, and the crack in the MIMI is not even the only one. Even among cast TSUBA, this is not a prime one.....

Of course tourist TSUBA! The SADO TSUBA shows a typical smoke (see attached photo) and INAZUMA motif. But in Hector's TSUBA, clouds are not as obvious to me.

Encore trop de lumière, à mon avis.

Miles, you have posted in the FOR SALE section, so you won't get comments. This blade would fit in the MILITARA section. Comments could be made only on what is seen. Tell us what you want to know in that section. The price seems extremely high to me, but I am not into military blades.

One of mine, a small and simple one, probably a 'revival' piece.

Nicolas, merci! That teaches me that you never know all and you have never seen all.....sea-slugs with light detectors!

Thank you Lewis! I am willing to make you a beautifut and equally functional kitchen-knife for half that price, even without meteorite iron.

NAMAKO do not have eyes as far as I know.

It is also on REDDIT and described as very recent acquisition.

Meteorite iron does not contain carbon so it is not usable as sole material for blades (except for decorative purposes). Combining it with manganese-containing carbon steel will result in a nicely contrasting pattern after etching. But the incredible prices for meteoric iron are prohibitive. You have to be a dead Pharao to afford it....

Thank you Brian!

Depending on the dimensions, I beleive this TSUBA was intended as, or functioning like a HAMIDASHI one. The decoration is certainly as Piers states above. An interesting and unusual TSUBA!

Brian, just a short question: Will I be notified when my subscription runs out? Of course I will renew it then, but I don't remember my subscription date.

Aaron, as you can see, you see almost nothing on most of the photos. First thing is to look at the results yourself before posting! To an extent, it has to do with the condition of the blade, the other part is photographing. Have a look at your PMs, I am sending you some hints.

For our Australian members.....

The motif of the right one could be BENKEI and YOSHITSUNE.

Nicolas, you are certainly correct in that the SUKASHI of the TEIMEI TSUBA are not usable as HITSU ANA. I showed it more as a general example of "big openings". The HIRATA TSUBA below (not mine) is probably more functional in this respect.

Nicolas, I do not believe that the HIRATA TSUBA pictured above (and the other one) attempts to emulate the PODIA of sea cucumbers. It would not be the intent of TSUBA artisans to create realistic copies of nature. In my opinion, these small SUHAMA-like decorations were meant to "soften up" the very stern basic shape of the NAMAKO TSUBA. My observation is that a pleasing, balanced shape with inherent functionality can be found in most TSUBA, especially in the iron ones. Speaking of "oversized" HITSU ANA, I am attaching a TEIMEI TSUBA as example plus two "NAMAKO" TSUBA in HEIANJO style

No, it is TSUNAHARU. Many of your photos are useless. Please use a plain dark background (not your bed), and take care to make well focused photos. Use a dark room to avoid reflections, and spotlights. NAKAGO photos always vertical tip-upwards, without HABAKI

A really nice one. I like it! Concerning the condition of a TSUBA, we usually do not know how it was stored and preserved in the past. This will have a big impact on the surface condition. In this case, it looks consistent with KAMIYOSHI's working period to me. I don't think it is modern.

There is one thing I observed on this sword: It has one obviously older MEKUGI ANA (punched), and a newer one (drilled). A MEI is usually chiseled BELOW the MEKUGI ANA, so you would expect it to be placed lower than the old MEKUGI ANA if it was made by the smith himself. On the other hand, the MEI looks as if it was chiseled "around" the newly made MEKUGI ANA. This is at least unusual if not dubious. Concerning the photos, you could show more important details with another set-up. Please use a plain DARK background (not your bed, not white or bright colours). NAKAGO photos always without HABAKI. The condition of the blade is not good enough for my old eyes to see YASURIME, HADA or HAMON clearly. While the SUGATA is quite nice, we should see more details for an assessment. Sometimes, unpolished blades like this remain an enigma.

Thank you Tom!

Gentlemen, I cannot read the MEI except X SADA. Would some expert please be so kind and help? This is a cut-off NAKAGO, and I am curious. Possibly very late EDO or younger.

Hector, it is TAGANE MEI. As to the motif, I believe it is TOMOE and waves, not clouds. What do you think?

Vanessa, I shouldm't have asked..... Generally, the age of such an item is not so relevant. You may find very well made modern NETSUKE as well as much older ones with little value. It is the quality that counts.