kissakai

Whilst looking through some old posts I came across this tsuba Is it possible to show me the kanji for this tsuba? Grev UK

I hadn't thought of a Chinese copy but a good shout Grev UK

Thanks for all the replies which have been a great help The front of No 3 as requested Better image of the last tsuba I'm sure this is a tourist piece of no great quality but still nice to look at Grev UK

Hi John Thanks for the information - I will have to amend my records about this maker I've looked the maker in Haynes and there is an additional ref SCE W-306-U-4 I understand this is a reference but what does it reference to? Only had my Haynes books for a few weeks so I only just learning how to use it Grev UK

A couple more queries I'd like help with I know they should possibly been on the translation page but as I had a couple of other questions I added it to this page Umetada mei = Masa or is it a kao This was described as Seiriuken Yeijiu but I'm not convinced Teruaki with kao I found a reference to this mei and kao on the internet from a book called 'Japanese Sword mounts in 'Collections of Field Museum The maker was around 1860 but not sure about a school My Daisho I bought this on Ebay a few weeks ago as I was drawn to the cloisonne work and it is a Daisho set I presummed it was modern (around 1950) I then saw this on the internet: Aoi mon tsuba, Hirata, 19th century Shakudo mumei Hirata shippo yaki Aoi-mon (Tokugawa family crest) motif, end of Edo period, 19th century Aoi mon tsuba, Hirata, 19th century Published in the book Tsuba – Japanese sword hanguard Do you think this is right? If it is then obviously better/older than I thought Thanks Grev UK

I have to go with the comments about the NMB My first post was on 28/06/12 - Just over a year ago and over the last year I have added 36 posts I've had in total 304 replies and 21696 views So an approximate average of 8.5 replies per post with 603 views per post My most popular post (also my first) had 304 replies and 2144 views Where else can you get this much help from such learned volunteers? My first post came in for some harsh criticism and felt this was over the top but now I realise not every one is a gem and you realise these are in general good comments Any that may appear to punch below the belt you can ignore. If you put an item for comments expect both good and bad - that is the nature of the board and long may it stay the same I also have the added bonus of buying quite a few tsuba from 'safe' sources, learning how to uploads picture which nightmare to start with and making some great contacts It must be truely amazing to know the full total of all the posts, views and replies over a year The numbers must be staggering Keep up the unselfish good work in expanding everyone's Nihontô knowledge Grev UK

Thanks Chris & Thierry So I couldn't have been more wrong with Toshiyama! Still a lot to learn I find it difficult to determine a school or style from books especially when so many have similar styles Terms like good quality plate, powerful design apply to so many of the good tsuba and for me to decide on Bushu/Ito and Choshu is a nightmare Anyway I always learn from this message board and need to read more Thanks again Grev UK

Thanks Chris Possibly the fastest reply I've had - less than 10 mins of posting I believe this to be Toshi So mei = Toshiyama Or an outside chance of Toshisan I can find neither name in Markus genealogies or listed in Haynes Unrecorded? Grev UK

Hi I can find the second kanji = Yama, although in Markus’s genealogy it also shows this as san (Shosan) So the mei may be * yama * san I have no idea of the first kanji so any help will be appreciated I have attached both sides of the tsuba I think this may be the Tanaka school/style and again I welcome any comments The 1st image has been enhanced to try to better define the mei The other two are untouched and are a good representation of the actual tsuba Enlarged mei Grev UK

The Hiragana for Kozaru ‘Little monkey’ The third character is the same as on the tsuba Grev UK

Thanks Moriusz - your reply would suggest that the variation on the Wachigai crest doesn't have any real significance being placed under the seppa Thats another one sorted - thanks Morita What a great suggestion - With such a strong design I felt it had to have a significant meaning It fits in well with: 'Toyotomi Hideyoshi had been given the nickname Kozaru, meaning "little monkey", from his lord Oda Nobunaga because his facial features and skinny form resembled that of a monkey. He was also known as the "bald rat" I tried searched for the kao but without success but it doesn't really bother me Many thanks for all your help with my two posts Grev UK

I forgot to add that this shape was in a book of mon as Asai Nagamata 1545 - 1573 Grev UK

1 Was on my earlier post but I’m really keen to find out if this is a kanji and what it means I would expect some reference to the monkey but can never be certain I have also seen this in a Gallery 3044 (San Francisco) 1982 catalogue Described as: The sosho kanji is well cut with monkey and bamboo cane. The face of the monkey is copper without detail. This style is typical of the Kyote area in Genroku era ca 1700 (Shoami work). Out of curiosity it sold for $300 They didn’t elaborate on the kanji and my image didn’t have a copper face 2) Is this a mei/kakihane? Or may it be a family mon? Grev UK

Many thanks to all those that replied Pretty well finally sorted by Mariusz either with a suggestion or very good pointer in the right direction Assuming I can do this I will repost with just the one image and a new one about an usual mei Grev UK

Thanks John At least I know what to look for Grev UK

Hi With only two replies I just hope I did not upset anyone by posting Ford Hallams tsuba without an attribution I know all input is voluntary so I understand it's just pot luck who sees a thread and responds to it My findings so far: I've looked on various Chinese websites but still have no idea what No 1 and No 2 are Thanks to Matt for letting me know No 3 was dragon (at least one query solved) and Robert for the suggestion of a rain dragon, I'll look into this type of dragon No4. Is Japanese evidently in Sosho script. I do not think this to be 'Noh' No5. Looking into this I think I can state that fern fronds are just a plain 'curl' but can't find any diagrammes/mon for 'ruyi heads' No6. I think are two hats but no idea of the two otther shapes No7. I was wrong in thinking this to be a common shape otherwise I'm sure someone would have replied No8. Maybe this is a pawlonia! No's 9/10. Must be Higo from some examples I've found on the web Obviously any input will help me Grev UK

Hi I'd like some help/advice on the following tsuba: I have found some discrepancies with these tsuba and some images I can’t find As there are quite a few I was tempted to split them up into different topics but decided to group them together 1 Chinese character SHU? If it is shu why is this used on quite a few Namban tsuba? 2 Chinese character SHU variation? Obviously different from No 1 so it may be something else 3 Unknown Chinese character. I can’t find this character and as it is on another Namban tsuba I’m assuming it to be Chinese 4 Kanji for NOH or Chinese SHU The same tsuba was described as both Noh and SHU! 5 Design for ferns fronds or fungi (ruyi heads) Looking over a few similar tsuba shapes they seem to be described as either Are there any specific characteristics to define which is which? 6 Unknown design/shapes Any help would be appreciated 7 Rinzu (lightening) Another common design but annoyingly it is not in Hawleys mon but is in the original Japanese publication and I can’t read Japanese. I can scan in the page but will not have access to a scanner for the next few days 8 Unknown flower Was described as a pawlonia but this must be wrong Mei: Echizen ju Kinai saku 9 and 10 One described as Higo school and the other as Bushu school With these tsuba being almost identical I would not have thought they were from different schools Which one is it likely to be? 9 Higo school 10 Bushu school Grev UK

Hi I have enclosed two of Fords 1994(ish) tsuba This time to show is mei I hope you enjoy them and I'm sure Ford would like to here any comments Avocets Dimple form Grev UK

Hi This tsuba was made by Ford Hallam around 1994 and with his permission I added it to the NMB website This was agreed by Ford with the previso that Ford was not named as the maker A wicked sense of humour :D The first reply of good quality iron and the lovely image of the avocet was really appreciated David's suggestion of Akao School of Echizen Province may well have been the influence for Fords design Henrys reference to the Zen painting was well put What is coming through crystal clear is that the tsuba is of a well executed design and workmanship and now you know why I would now welcome Ford's comments to the above and any pointers that may have helped to recognise the age of this tsuba Grev UK

Hi During a recent project I came across this tsuba Birds and river? I have no idea of school or age Can anyone help? Grev UK

PS Should the blade tightening notches be on this side? Grev UK

I bought this from the NMB recently and I'm happy with the tsuba - as usual it looks better in hand I've spoken to the seller about the school It was suggested this may be an early Edo Heianjo tsuba I'm not sure Would any members like to add their suggestions to the school and date? This is not detrimental to the seller as I've stated earlier I'm happy with the sale Grev UK

I have bought many items from him over the last 18 months He describes as it is and I'm fully happy with all my deals I bought a Wakizashi from him that had a forging crease under the habaki He offered a reduced price or I could return the item Just bought the cloisonne daisho tsuba from him - I know they were quite new but still look good Grev UK

There is a dedicated Japanse room in the Victoria and Albert Museum It is the Toshiba gallery on level one A search on the web will give you full details Last time I went there were some Japanese National Treasures on special display - some of which had never before left Japan. There are various other Ninoto around the museum Grev UK

Hi and thanks for all your help I know it may have not been the best place to ask for a valuation but how do I know if a dealer would give me a fair price so I’m more comfortable asking the NMB members I can see it to be worth around €2500 or £2000 I have no real idea of price so if a dealer offered me €1500 how could I know if this was correct? Also if I had put it on the HMB for €4000 I’d have looked either like an idiot or money grabber. All I was after was a fair price and I’m sure I have it Initially I will put it on the NMB for €2250 + P&P Then if there are no takers it will go on EBay for around €3000 One more request If it goes on EBay I would state (with the catch all – ‘in my opinion’): Made around 1800 Good polish No flaws (kizu) Pleasant koshirae with some age Would anybody like to have a stab at the school or style as it would help me if it goes on EBay? I’m glad I put it up for discussion and feel much happier now I’ve done it Grev UK